More Private Property Rights...Up in Smoke

I don't like cigarette smoke, especially when I am enjoying a nice meal at a local restaurant. I agree that second hand smoke is not only annoying, but probably hazardous to your health. However, I am also a staunch supporter of private property rights.

The House is soon to move HB 4163 (http://www.michiganvotes.org/2007-HB-4163) which would ban a legal activity, (smoking) on private property, (restaurants and bars). One of the fundamentals of liberty is private property rights. Individual property owners have a right to engage in any legal activity they wish on their own property. They also have the right to restrict certain legal activities on their own property. For the government to tell private businesses how to run their business; to tell private property owners what legal activities they can and cannot engage in on their own property is the height of arrogance at minimum.