Individual rights are going up in smoke

It was just a matter of time. We always knew the place would be California. But honestly, it really was just a matter of time.

Secondhand smoke is now officially a public nuisance in Dublin, Calif., putting it in the same category as rodents, junk cars and weeds. You can still smoke in your home and in your yard. Beyond that, your secondhand smoke can subject you to a court case.

As I said, it was only a matter of time.

I can't argue that secondhand smoke is not a dangerous item. I don't know and far too many studies give you conflicting answers. But I do know a little about individual rights and this ordinance seems to stray far to the left in this arena. By way of acknowledgement, I am a smoker.

The new ordinance outlaws smoking within 15 feet of public playgrounds, ATMs and bus stops. There is also no outdoor smoking area at restaurants and common areas at condos, nursing homes or retirement communities. In other words, hide in your bedroom and light up a cigarette. But don't venture much beyond that point.

The case that prompted the ordinance began when a woman sat on her patio and smoked a cigarette. The smoke made its way into the neighbor's house and a dispute began. The woman was asked to stand on the far side of her house to smoke but she respectfully declined. Next came the lawyers and the cops and the city ordinance.

I think it's safe to assume the day will come when smoking is an illegal act in this country. That day may arrive sooner than you might think. Sure, we'll perhaps be a healthier society as a result. But we'll give the government just one more aspect of our lives to control.

And you want to know what will follow? The day will then arrive when obesity is declared a health nuisance because of the tremendous price it is costing our health care system. And only certain foods will be allowed to be sold or consumed.

Don't laugh. That day will arrive. It's being written in smoke signals across the western sky.