The group that drafted the smoking ban ordinance (from a national organization template) continues to argue with themselves about the dangers of smoking. No one in Stand Up Cape has ever stated that smoking cigarettes cannot be harmful to your health, but we are a nation of laws. The smoking ban comrades may think that personal property rights and individual rights are quaint, old-fashioned or irrelevant, but most Americans cherish their constitutional rights that our forefathers fought and died for.

How much government intrusion into our personal lives are we willing to tolerate? A business that someone has put their life and money into is in no way "public property." A government of the people should be very careful about placing more restrictions on an already overregulated citizenship.

A responsible smoking ordinance would require that all businesses post at the door whether they are smoking or nonsmoking so that patrons can decide.

This ban goes way too far. Local groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Old Town Cape and the Southeast Missourian have realized this. Hopefully the voters of Cape Girardeau will also.

DON GREENWOOD, Cape Girardeau