We just hope last night's forum on a smoking ban wasn't a waste of time, because the city commission's previous actions proved that endeavor to be fruitless.

In October 2006, the commission wasted a lot of effort when they let go of any hope of a smoking ban for the city of Manhattan. The Union Program Council, in sponsoring Wednesday's forum, invited students, faculty and residents to discuss the possibility of a city-wide smoking ban in public buildings.

The issue of public versus privately owned buildings should not affect the greater issue of why smoking needs to be banned in the first place. Yes, it's a proven fact smoking is bad for everyone's health - including those not doing the smoking. Though that fact is important, the greater issue of the building owner's rights should take precedence.

The government doesn't need to decide issues well within business owners' rights to decide, and smoking certainly is one of those issues.

If the government regulates where citizens can exercise their rights to abuse their bodies, what will come next? It's a line that should stay where it is.

That said, we hope the public showed up in high numbers as they did for city commission meetings on smoking.

We hope good discussions took place between members of both fields of thought.

Yet, it makes us wonder, what on earth went on last semester to have so little ground gained in any direction? If so much research, time and effort went into the partial ban, why was a viable option not produced? Flat out, let private owners decide whether or not they want to ban smoking in their own private establishments.

In the case of public buildings, of course the public should decide whether smoking is allowed.