Brian Duff quoted by Bozeman Daily Chronicle on MSU smoking ban

Brian Duff, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was quoted by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle on Oct. 11, 2011 reporting on a forum over individuals’ right to be free of government dictates versus individuals’ right to a clean and healthy environment. The debate was initiated in light of the new Ken Burns documentary “Prohibition” and a smoking ban that won unanimous support from Montana State University leaders.

Duff, who was visiting MSU to present a few lectures, explained at the forum that one of the lessons of the “Prohibition” documentary was that the 1920 ban on alcohol failed because of the rigidity of the moralistic, anti-alcohol forces, who refused to accept reasonable restrictions that could have made the law more enforceable.