Statewide smoking ban considered

Publication Date: 2008-12-10

• Author:Kevin Bottrell
• Publication:The Torrington Telegram, WY

The Wyoming State Legislature will take another look at a statewide restriction on smoking in indoor public places when it is gaveled into session in January.

A comprehensive smoke-free ordinance was approved last week by the Joint Interim Labor, Health and Social Service Committee for introduction into the general session. The current draft of the bill would prohibit smoking in all public indoor areas in Wyoming. This includes public transportation, non-chartered intrastate busses, community colleges, public and private school facilities, alcoholic beverage establishments, health care facilities, state and local government offices, and restaurants.

Alcoholic beverage establishments would not have to comply with the provisions of the bill until Jan. 1, 2010, while all other public access buildings would have to comply by July 1, 2009...

Exemptions include private residences (unless they are used as child care or health care facilities), private motor vehicles, hotel or motel rooms designated as smoking rooms, and sites being used for Native American cultural activities. Under the bill, no more than 35 percent of the available rooms in a hotel or motel could be designated as smoking rooms.

The bill would not prevent counties and municipalities from passing stricter laws.