Montana Goes Smoke-Free

Montana becomes the 10th state to ban smoking in all "public places"--i.e., all indoor spaces that are not private residences, including restaurants and (as of 2009) bars. "The need to breathe smoke-free air has priority over the desire to smoke," says the legislation. Coming soon: bans on loud music ("the need to speak and be heard has priority over the desire to dance") and TVs showing cable news channels ("the need to enjoy a quiet drink takes priority over the desire to see people scream at each other").

[Thanks to Mike Fellows of the Montana L.P. for the link.]