High-court ruling on Bullitt Co. smoking ban more about unelected bureaucrats' role than lighting up

Since courts at all levels rely greatly on the body of preceding rulings -- or "precedent," as it is known -- a Supreme Court ruling especially (both at the federal and state level) can have a significant impact beyond the particulars of the individual case in which the ruling was made.

For instance, the Kentucky Supreme Court's ruling last week that struck down a comprehensive smoking ban implemented by the un-elected Bullitt County Health Department could have far-reaching consequences beyond just the smoking debate and affect other special districts attempting to legislate and enforce policy.

Bluegrass Institute president Jim Waters spoke about the Kentucky Supreme Court's ruling and the impact that could have on health departments and other regulatory agencies statewide with Kentucky Libertarian Party chairman Ken Moellman, who also serves as a spokesman for Northern Kentucky Choice -- a coalition opposed to government-imposed smoking bans, on Sunday night's Resistance Radio show on Louisville's 970 WGTK-AM, where Waters was guest-hosting for Jim Coyle.

Listen to that interview beginning at 58:00 here.