Whether a planned smoking ban for Eugene becomes a reality or not is in the hands of the Oregon State Legislature.
The contentious issue of smoking bans, which faced the city of Eugene last year, is back on the table at the state level. Representatives passed House Bill 3953 Thursday with a vote of 35-24. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Alan Brown, R-Wilsonville, would prohibit local governments from enacting smoking ordinances that are more restrictive than state laws. It has been referred to the Senate Business, Labor and Economic Development committee.
Supporters of the bill include the Oregon Restaurant Association, which says the bill is necessary to avoid hurting the more than 3,000 restaurant, beverage and hospitality establishments.
“Due to the patchwork system today regarding smoking bans in Oregon, it is creating confusion and unfair competition,” said Lynn Breezley, the association’s corporate communication director. “If you have one restaurant in one city that prohibits smoking and another five miles away that allows smoking, [smoking] patrons will choose the one without the ban.”
The ordinance would amend current laws to allow smoking in rooms or halls being used by organizations holding bingo games. It would also allow restaurants and bowling alleys to expand or reduce the size of smoking areas for patrons. The ordinance doesn’t affect bans passed before Jan. 1,1999, but would impact Eugene ordinances.
“The state Legislature has done things in the past that overturned local rule. This is just another example,” Eugene City Council president Betty Taylor said.
The council has been tracking the measure since its introduction in the state House of Representatives. Councilor Bonny Bettman traveled to Salem to present testimony opposing the bill more than a week ago.
A ban on smoking in bingo parlors, bars and taverns in Eugene becomes effective in July following the council’s wrestling with the issue last fall. The Eugene City Council also passed two other ordinances concerning smoking. The first requires stores selling tobacco products to be licensed and have vendor-assisted sales. The second ordinance prohibits smoking in businesses with two or more employees.
Eugene-area Silver Dollar Club owner Lucas Mericantante disagrees with the government preventing smoking in private establishments.
“The ban would hurt my business by pushing customers over to Springfield. If you want to stop smoking, then outlaw tobacco,” he said.
Whether this latest debate results in a smoking ban or not, some business owners just want a final decision.
“Statewide — one way or another would be preferable,” said Dan Geyer, manager of Rennie’s Landing. “But if we were not required, we wouldn’t make an accommodation for it.”