Longmont (CO) Goes Smokefree

Council rejects attempts to weaken proposal

Parts excerpted from The Daily Times-Call

LONGMONT, Colorado — On Monday, the Longmont City Council voted 5-2 in favor of smokefree workplace legislation.  The law goes into effect in 60 days.

The vote thwarted two weaker proposals.  One proposal would have allowed smoking in taverns for 10 years, and another would have exempted both taverns and restaurants that could separate areas physically.

The council heard roughly two hours of public testimony on the issue. A number of people testified in favor of keeping the playing field level for all businesses.

Craig Vaccaro, owner of the Third Avenue Grill, told the council that he did not have a preference for smoking or smoke-free, but said whatever the council chose, it should be for all businesses.  He said he objected to any exception that would give some businesses a real or perceived advantage.

“If someone chooses to drive 15 miles away, so be it, but I don’t think it is fair if they can go next door and smoke,” he said.

The smokefree workplace law passed on first reading two weeks ago in a 4-3 vote, but the council asked to have an amendment prepared for consideration to grandfather taverns for 10 years. That amendment was drafted, but the council ultimately decided that it wasn't a good solution.

Councilman Marty Block, who two weeks ago pushed for considering the grandfather clause, said he heard the call for the level playing field for restaurants and bars.  “The appropriate thing for the community right now is for smokefree workplace legislation across the board,” he said.

Councilman Roger Lange said he was persuaded by the debate over the past few weeks.  “I don’t see another way to make something a level playing field and, most importantly, we are looking at the health and welfare of the community,” he said.