In a unanimous decision, the United States Supreme Court has voted to reverse all public smoking bans that have been instated throughout the nation.
Several states, most recently including Illinois, have passed state-wide laws eliminating smoking from public places such as bars, bowling alleys, and other traditional smoker-havens. These laws were passed with the "safety of the general population in mind," claims a lawmaker in Illinois.
Many persecuted smokers, unable to enjoy a few frames or even a meal without a dose of nicotine and tar, filed a lawsuit against all states that had instituted such bans. The lawsuit made its way all the way to the highest court in the land, and that court determined that the states had no constitutional right to ban smoking.
"No where in the Constitution does it say that public smoking is against the law," Supreme Court Justice Anthony Scalia claimed in defense of the Court's decision.
"They were taking away our basic freedoms," argued Tony Nelson, a smoker from Illinois. "For years I haven't been able to see movies or go to church, and now they are telling me I can't drink or even go bowling."
Many smokers claim that a smoking ban prevents them from being able to enjoy their daily activities.
"Smoking is a life choice," said Nelson. "It's like chewing gum or drinking water. I need it to stay in my daily routines. Taking it away is discrimination."
Studies conducted by Philip Morris have shown during the recent months that all establishments in states with smoking bans have suffered economically. Official numbers were not released, but Philip Morris guaranteed the accuracy and legitimacy of the numbers.
Not only did the Supreme Court say that the smoking bans were illegal, but in response to another claim in the lawsuit, they ruled that no establishment has the right to ban smoking.
"If smoking is legal," Scalia said, "no one has the right to tell someone they can't do it. Doing so would be claiming that the establishment has more authority than the federal government, and we all know that only God has more authority than the federal government. None of these establishments in question were God, so we determined all places must allow smokers."
Including churches, the ruling stated.
"Neither the Bible nor the Constitution say that smoking is not permitted, so therefore, no one can restrict it," Scalia added. "Smoking is a legal, God-given right."
The ban on no-smoking will be effective starting March 1.
The Supreme Court denied that any tobacco company had ay influence over their decision.
