To the editor:
Robert J. Dettman's letter (Forum, Jan. 19) about Hardee's banning smoking in their restaurants reminded me of the television advertisements a certain airline ran a couple years back announcing the same policy on all domestic flights. The main difference is that the airline paid a great deal of money for their advertisement, but Hardee's received free coverage from a disgruntled ex-customer.The writer of that letter of complaint sees the Hardee's policy as motivated by moral considerations, but I disagree. I imagine that Hardee's is actually practicing smart economics and attempting to increase profits.
I doubt that Hardee's would ban smoking on their premises if the majority of potential customers were smokers. However, the majority of Americans today, and certainly the overwhelming majority of Utahns, are non-smokers.
Hardee's now offers an attractive alternative to both smokers and non-smokers alike who wish to eat their food without having their personal freedom taken away by other people's smoke. Most diners I know don't like tobacco smoke contaminating their food, clothing and breathing space.
Finally, it is absolutely false that Hardee's, as Dettman said, "decided not to allow smokers in their store." Smokers are welcome; only their smoking is not allowed. Similarly, javelin throwers are also allowed, as long as they leave their hobby outside where it doesn't bother the diners.
Hardee's is not the first business to ban smoking. It is certainly not the last. The irate customer asked: What is America becoming when a rather major business decides their business is no longer allowing smoking? Answer: healthier.
Preston David Hunter
Orem