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.]