Constraining Laws

Many cities across the U.S. have implemented stricter smoking laws, many of which restrict smoking in all enclosed public places and enclosed places of employment.  The city of Chicago has taken this law one step further and restricts smoking within 15 feet of the entrance to any of these establishments.  As a non-smoker, I agree with this law although it constrains many people.  Walking around the city, you are surrounded by enclosed public places and if this law didn’t exist, many people would be smoking right outside of them.  In such a busy city, there are many pedestrians who can be affected by second-hand smoke by simply walking down the street and the law helps prevent this.  While this law constrains where people can smoke, it still allows them to smoke, as long as they find somewhere else to do so.  Ultimately, this law helps more people than it constrains.

One law in my hometown that I am no longer constrained by (but was when I first got my license) is that it is illegal for a minor to drive after 11 pm on the weekends.  I disagree with this law completely.  There were times in high school that I would be at a friend’s house and have to leave at 10:45 in order to make it home before curfew.  This was extremely frustrating because it was the weekend and my parents weren’t strict, and if the law hadn’t existed, I would have allowed me to return home much later than an 11 pm curfew.  Although I understand that the law wants to protect minors and ensure they get home safely, I think that curfew should be at the discretion of the parents and not in the law's hands.