The discussion about the health hazards of smoking are indisputable. That second-hand smoke is hazardous and also annoying for non-smokers is unquestionable.

But that doesn’t mean local government should step in and regulate smoking for private businesses.

Sure, government frequently dictates what businesses must do to conduct, well, business.

And government enters our personal lives as well, telling us what we must do to stay safe. The seat belt law is a prime example of such legislation.

But should it? No.

The people who make choices each day about which eating establish to visit should be the ones to regulate whether a business offers a non-smoking environment.

If residents don’t like eating at a businesses which offers a smoking option, let them speak by not eating there.

A drop-off of customers who clearly and politely indicate the reason for not visiting a business will get the message across loud and clear.

Rather than argue the point, though, and suffer such a consequence, businesses should take a proactive approach to the issue and offer non-smoking hours.

If families are more likely to visit a restaurant from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., why not go smoke-free during those hours? What would it hurt?

And a message to smokers: You can’t wait an hour to have a cigarette?

This battle between smokers and non-smokers is old and often gets personal. Find some reasonable compromise and put this issue to rest so we can

have more important discussions.