Smoking Ban Latest in Class War

Throughout 2007 and 2008, I wrote a weekly political column for the Herald News in Joliet, Illinois. I will get things started on this blog by posting a few from the archives.

Smoking ban latest in class war
by David Masciotra

The Herald News: November 15, 2007

Criminalization of substances has more to do with class than chemistry. Despite their medical and social consequences, they only become the subject of domestic "wars" once they are associated with an "undesirable" portion of the public.

Prohibition of alcohol was passed because drinking had become a favorite pastime for blue collar immigrants. Puritanical support from religious groups made it possible. However, the laws were only enforced against lower class people. For example, in New York, beer taverns were raided in cities, but rich families were free to drink wine and liquor upstate.

Prohibition failed miserably, and was overturned in 1933, which left agencies and bureaucrats assigned to the mindless task of penalizing alcohol drinkers with nothing to do. The powerful moved its target to marijuana.

Marijuana had become a social habit of some Mexican immigrants and African-Americans, two groups despised and feared by the government and white population. Drunk and high on racism and xenophobia, lawmakers criminalized the drug under a variety of false justifications, ranging from "it makes people insane" to the still popular "gateway drug" theory.

However, acting "Drug Czar" Harry Anslinger in the 1930s was racially direct in his opposition: "Most marijuana smokers are Negroes and Hispanics. It causes white women to seek sexual relations with Negroes."

Currently, the fact that the penalty for smoking cocaine (crack-- predominantly used in the inner-city) far outweighs that for snorting cocaine (predominantly done by white people) illustrates the race and class basis for the drug war. Marijuana smokers are targeted in ghettos. But for predictable reasons; college dorm rooms are never raided by armed men in uniform.
The class history of the drug war led sociologists to predict the criminalization of tobacco. They noticed smoking rates increasing among the lower class, and declining among upper classes.

Decades later, smoking is illegal indoors and there have been a few cases of people getting fired for smoking off the job.

The devastating health consequences directly tied to smoking are undeniable, and second-hand smoke is also hazardous. However, recent research by Boston University demonstrates that some of the worst effects of second-hand smoke are temporary.

Regardless, it is fascinating how supposed "healthy environment" advocates ignore toxic air and water pollution, widespread use of pesticides in schools -- which have been tied to increases in asthma and neurological disorders -- and never acknowledge the 51 million Americans with no access to health care, but obsess over devoting public funds and law enforcement to policing the social habits of working people.

Disallowing the use of tobacco in schools, hospitals, banks and similar buildings was necessary. However, in January the smoking ban will be extended to all Illinois restaurants and bars, striking a blow against freedom.

Similar bans in New York City and Phoenix have made exceptions for cigar clubs. One wonders if the same leniency will be granted in Chicago. We wouldn't want to impede upon the fun of rich white guys.

Ultimately, this issue smolders in the ashtrays of freedom and the "free market" that is often trumpeted from heavenly heights. If bar owners choose to allow smoking, customers have the choice to drink or not drink there. The market would dictate what areas of the state are friendly to smokers.

"Freedom" and "personal choice" are novel concepts in the background of the "war on drugs" and the newly launched war on smoking. Let those that still believe celebrate with a favorite drink and if they choose, I dare say, a cigarette.

David Masciotra