"City governments ought to be abolished, if only as a public health measure"

This quote by L. Neil Smith suggests that local government need to be eliminated for the sake of public health. Smith suggests that local government are refraining from doing enough to secure the health of their citizens, which eliminating them would be an advantageous procedure. He may be describing the lack of resources and infrastructure in lots of cities, which can lead to bad air quality, inadequate sanitation, and other health dangers. He may also be referring to the occurrence of crime and violence in some cities, which can have a negative influence on public health. Smith's quote suggests that city governments should be held responsible for the health of their citizens, which abolishing them might be the only method to ensure that they are doing their task.