Ban on Smoking violates property rights

2005 Libertarian candidate Gary Popkin visits a bar and gets cheers for speaking against the ban. read more.

2004 Libertarian candidate Jeff Bennett endorsed by C.L.A.S.H. for Senate District 38
Libertarians have been fighting for the property rights of bar owners, and one of our own is recognized for his participation. Citizens Lobbying Against Smoker Harassment says: "The only candidate challenging the incumbent has been a staunch opponent of the smoking ban and has been active in protest activities... Our Pick: Jeff Bennett."

MLP members and many restaurant owners and bar workers attended the "Can the Ban" rally at City Hall Park in NYC July 24 (2003) to protest the statewide smoking ban, which went into effect today. Elsewhere, a bar in Batavia tried to buck the ban and quickly got fined thousands of dollars. Bars in Buffalo are suggesting a voter registration drive to reverse the tide.

The LP wants to help. Not only have we won the right to enroll as Libertarians, which will indicate to the state that we're pro-freedom, but we've also taken up the "Can the Ban" battle ourselves, organizing our members for a petition drive, as the Syracuse Post-Standard was kind enough to report.

Please sign online and print out copies of a petition against the ban. Sign up as many folks as you can find, then send the petitions to the Libertarian Party of New York, ATTN: Smoking Ban Petition, at P.O. Box 728, Bellport, NY 11713. We will deliver them to Albany at the conclusion of LPNY's "Can the Ban" petition drive, and issue a press release with the number of signatures.