I’d like to imagine an alternative universe where the federal government bans wood burning fireplaces. After all fireplaces produce an enormous quantity of indo

I’d like to imagine an alternative universe where the federal government bans wood burning fireplaces. After all fireplaces produce an enormous quantity of indoor air pollution, and sitting by a fire for the night is about the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes. How would this policy proposal be received? My guess is that the public would be up in arms and decry the move as ridiculous government over reach. The only operative difference between this and the menthol ban is that fireplaces are associated with rich people living in upscale houses. The thought experiment tells me that at some level we’re more willing to force paternalism on low status poor people.