Only three cities in Oregon currently ban smoking, but the right to smoke in public places throughout the state may soon be extinguished. A bill that would ban smoking in all workplaces and public spaces, such as restaurants, taverns and bowling alleys, narrowly passed the Senate Tuesday with a 18-12 vote.
“This is one of the most important public health bills we will pass this session, probably the most important,” said Sen. Ginny Burdick, D-district 18, one of the bill’s sponsors.
Exposure to secondhand smoke is known to cause cancer and other chronic diseases. The American Lung Association states that secondhand smoke contains over 200 poisons, including more than 43 chemicals that are known to cause cancer, and causes an estimated 800 deaths a year in Oregon.
“We’re delighted that this bill, this type of legislation, has passed the Senate,” said Sue Fratt, CEO of the American Lung Association of Oregon. “We have worked for the last three (legislative) sessions for a bill like this, and we’re hopeful it will pass.”
Opponents argue that business revenue suffers under smoking bans, as people who smoke tend to stay home rather than go out to a restaurant or tavern where smoking is not allowed.
Eugene currently has a ban on smoking in public places, and Burdick came to the University law school in February to get input from business owners in the area.
Not a single bar owner in the area said it had a negative effect on their business, and the only reduction they saw was in lottery revenue, which quickly recovered, Burdick said.
Washington state residents passed an initiative by a 63 percent vote that banned smoking in all public places in November 2005.
Smoke-free laws that include restaurants and bars have been passed in 20 states in the United States, as well as Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.
Only three cities in Oregon have smoking bans, Eugene, Corvallis and Philomath, meaning residents in these cities must leave the jurisdiction to smoke in public places.
“It’s cool that you can go to Eugene and not smoke and not be in a smoking environment, or you can go to Springfield and smoke if you want to; you have the choice,” said Jenny Chapman, bartender at The Countryside Bar and Grill in Springfield. “Especially at a place like this where it is well-ventilated and people can go in the back room to get away from the smoke, I don’t see why you couldn’t smoke here.”
More than 80 percent of the U.S. population is non-smokers, Fratt said. Advocates say that the bill would likely increase revenue because more people would go out when they know being in a smoky place is not an issue.
“This will encourage people to go out and have a good time,” Burdick said. “I have a list of places I want to go, and I can’t wait to get out and listen to some live music.”
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What this bill does
Senate Bill 571 bans smoking in all public places and places of employment.
Business that offend the regulation will be fined $500 each day.
Where and When
The bill passed the Senate floor with a 18-12 vote, and will head to the House for committee recommendation before legislators vote on it.
If it passes the house, Governor Ted Kulongoski is expected to sign the bill into law as he has openly supported it.
If signed into law, the ban would take effect in January 2009.
Take the stand
Contact your local representative and find out how you can help.
State Senator
Sen. Vicki L. Walker
District: 007
900 Court Street NE
Suite S-210
Salem, OR 97301-4072
Phone: (503) 986-1707
Fax: (503) 986-1778
Email: [email protected]
State Representative
Rep. Nancy Nathanson
District: 013
900 Court Street, NE
Suite H-288
Salem, OR 97301-4057
Phone: (503) 986-1413
Email: [email protected]