Legislators hear testimony on smoking ban

Publication Date: 2008-09-16

• Author:ALLISON RUPP
• Publication:Casper Star-Tribune

Legislators listened to testimony for two hours Monday evening about a possible smoking ban in public places...

Sen. John Hastert, D-Green River, said he spent about 30 minutes during the meeting trying to find studies done on the economic impact of smoking bans on businesses and couldn't find any that said there was a negative effect.

Some opponents have said the state should leave this up to local governments to deal with such as the city-wide smoking bans passed in Cheyenne, Laramie and Evanston. Anne Ladd, a citizen, said this is a state issue because of the state money that could be saved by enacting such legislation.

The state spent about $136 million in health care costs related to tobacco in 2004, Ladd said citing a University of Wyoming study. Also, she said employees at bars and restaurants that allow smoking shouldn't have to be exposed to smoke.

"Many of the employees who are exposed to second-hand smoke tend to work in low-paying jobs where they are not offered health care benefits," Ladd said. "I don't know many maids or waitresses who get health insurance.

"They are just darn lucky to have that job," she said. "It's unquantifiable, but logical in my mind."...

"If 70 percent of people want it," said Sen. John Hastert, D-Green River, "why don't I back my constituents up."

The committee meets again today to discuss the topic before it makes any decisions about whether to support legislation or not.