According to Rasmussen, “62% of adults say there should be a nationwide ban on smoking in all public places, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree, and five percent (5%) are not sure.”

Here comes the money line:

Republicans, who usually frown on government restrictions, are more emphatic about the need for a nationwide smoking ban than Democrats, 66% to 59%. Sixty-one percent (61%) of those not affiliated with either party agree. Sixty-four percent (64%) of whites favor such a ban, compared to 50% of African-Americans. In mid-December, 22% of U.S. voters said the federal government should outlaw tobacco smoking.

Somehow, I’m not at all surprised about these data.

Here’s a quick thought for the Nannystatists (of any political persuasion) out there:

When the Nannystatists came for the smokers,

I remained silent;

I was not a smoker.

When they locked up the drinkers,

I remained silent;

I don’t drink alcoholic beverages.

When they came for the sex toys,

I did not speak out;

I don’t use sex toys.

When they came to ban guns,

I remained silent;

I don’t like guns.

When they came to ban free speech,

I didn’t say a word;

As I no longer had a gun to protect myself.

When they came for me,

there were so few individual liberties or civil rights remaining, there was no way for me to defend myself from the government.