Brian Duff quoted by Bozeman Daily Chronicle on MSU smoking ban

Brian Duff, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, was quoted by the 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 β€œProhibition” 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 β€œProhibition” 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.