Idaho Governor Signs Smokefree Workplace Bill Into Law

Restaurants will become smokefree on July 1

Parts excerpted from Channel 7, 3/19/04, smokefree.net

MARSING, Idaho -- On Thursday, Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne signed into law a bill that eliminates smoking in all workplaces, except stand-alone bars and bowling alleys.  The law will take effect on July 1.

Ten states-- CA, DE, NY, CT, ME, MA, UT, FL, and VT -- have passed similar legislation.  The first six-- CA, DE, NY, CT, ME, MA-- also require bars and bowling alleys to be smokefree.  According to officials in those states, ALL workers deserve to be protected from tobacco smoke equally, because tobacco smoke is known to cause cancer in humans.

News Channel 7 traveled to Marsing (Idaho) to find out what some restaurant patrons think of the smokefree law.  Surprisingly most of the customers we spoke to say they won’t be upset when the new law goes into effect later this year.   "We can bring our grandson or ourselves into an environment where we don't have to put up with the smoke," said Charlene Bair, a supporter of the law. 

Almost all of the smokers say they don't mind waiting a little while to light up a cigarette. 

"I can wait to have a cigarette until later. I would rather wait then offend someone," said smoker Rhonda Wyatt.  "People are getting used to going outside to smoke. I think they will go smoke and then come back in,” said one restaurant owner.

"Really it doesn't bother me if you can't smoke in the restaurant. I don't have a problem with that," said smoker Kay Kent.

But not every smoker we spoke with is as easy going about the no smoking law.  "I think they're infringing on our rights. I think you should be able to do what you want," said J.R. Kent.