A renewed effort to snuff out smoking in Utah bars and private clubs received unanimous, undebated support Wednesday from the Health and Human Services Interim Committee. The bill is more restrictive for than a proposal that failed in the 2005 legislative session and would ban smoking in virtually every private business in Utah, including fraternal lodges and country clubs.
"We are taking a little bigger bite than we did before," said sponsor by Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville. "This is a health issue that is very important. It makes the statement that Utah is pro clean air, pro safe workplace." On Tuesday, Washington became the ninth state to ban smoking in restaurants and bars, said Beverly May, regional advocacy director for the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. The initiative also included a rarely attempted move to ban smoking in casinos, May said.
In voting down the measure earlier this year, lawmakers expressed concerns about balancing the rights of bar employees and patrons to be free from secondhand smoke against those of private owners to run their businesses as they see fit.