Now that people have to smoke outside of bars and pool halls, I hope people see there is something wrong with that.

What were Gov. John Baldacci and the other lawmakers thinking? They have encouraged people to break other laws against loitering and littering because people have to smoke outside the bars and throw cigarette butts in the roads and on the sidewalks.

In some states, smoking is allowed in bars and bar owners pay a fee so patrons can smoke. Baldacci and the lawmakers should let bar owners in Maine pay a fee and allow smoking.

Let Maine people have their rights back.

Reggie Bechard, Lewiston