MetroWestDaily Editorial: Walsh takes tobacco ban too far

metrowestdailynews.com:

We have no problem with Walsh prohibiting use of smokeless tobacco in city parks. It’s important to discourage its use by kids in school and youth sports leagues. Stopping adults from use of a legal product that hurts no one but themselves is more problematic philosophically, but if Walsh wants to fine adults playing softball on Boston Common for using smokeless tobacco, he can. The mayor and City Council have jurisdiction over city-owned parks, so they can make the rules.

But Fenway Park is private property. The mayor has no right to dictate what employees and customers consume at Fenway, just as he has no right to send the police into any other business or private home and fine people for practices he deems unhealthy.

Such distinctions don’t matter to Walsh, who often acts like he knows what’s best for everyone else and will use every power government can muster to force everyone to follow his advice.