New law to notably affect taverns and bars

By Lauren Brown
Burns Times-Herald

On Jan. 1, smokers will have to extinguish those cigarettes in places such as taverns and bars, where they have previously been allowed to smoke indoors.

When Oregon’s new Smokefree Workplace Law takes effect this week,  businesses will be required to post signs notifying employees and patrons to stay at least 10 feet from business exits and entrances if they plan to take a smoke break.

Ramla Richardson is Harney County’s Tobacco Prevention Coordinator and said Oregon is following in Washington State’s footsteps with this new smoking law. She noted that Oregon is fairly progressive in its smoking stance. “Secondhand smoke is so deadly. That’s what it’s about — a  nonsmoker’s right to go out and not have to breathe smoke,” she said.

Sean Wilson, owner of Egan’s Tavern, said that because the law affects all Oregon businesses,  “It’s an even playing field. I don’t think it’s going to hurt business at all.”

To enforce the law, Wilson said the staff at Egan’s will simply point those who want to light up outdoors, where the ashtrays will be located. From a purely logistical  standpoint, Wilson said, “It’s fewer ashtrays I’ll have to clean.”

He said that once the weather warms up a little, he’ll try to install some outdoor seating to make things a little more comfortable for smokers who are forced outside.

The new law has few exceptions, but those include certified smoke shops and  cigar bars, designated hotel and motel rooms and tribal casinos.

Old Camp Casino General Manager Judith McClain stated that the new law won’t apply to the Paiute Tribe’s casino. “At this time, we’re not going to enforce it,” she said. She noted that all of tribal casinos in Oregon are exempt from the law. American Indian tribes are considered sovereign nations. However, McClain said that in the future, the Old Camp Casino has plans to offer patrons a smokefree area.

As far as enforcement is concerned, the new law puts the onus on businesses to maintain a smokefree environment. However, if complaints are made, the Oregon Public Health Division will step in. Business owners who do not comply with the new law can be fined up to $500 per day, not to exceed $2,000, in a 30-day period. Complaints can be filed confidentially by calling 1-866-621-6107 or by completing an online complaint form at www.healthoregon.org/smokefree.

Richardson was quick to point out that the state wants to help businesses with the smokefree transition. “The state is really on board with helping people quit,” she said.

Harney County Health Director Cheryl Keniston agreed and said that there are programs available to help smokers quit. According to 2006 state statistics, 73 percent of current smokers in Oregon say they want to quit.

Keniston said that people live longer now, but questioned the quality of life for those who continue to smoke as the years pass by. “Do you want to be on oxygen the last 10 years of your life?” she asked. Keniston said the county health office has smoking cessation materials for those who are interested.
Harney County smoking statistics from 2002-2005 indicated that 28.6 percent of county residents smoke cigarettes.

“We’re not the smoke police,” Richardson was quick to add. “We want to be sensitive to our culture here (in Southeastern Oregon).

We aren’t the Western side of the state.” Richardson said that while some smokers may see the new law as a hindrance, it will offer others who avoided smoky bars  the chance to enjoy an evening out on the town in a smokefree atmosphere. Maybe everyone will breathe just a little bit easier.

Smokefree law

Oregon’s new law takes effect Jan. 1. Workplaces and public places will require smokers to stay at least 10 feet from building entrances and exits. These include but are not limited to:

• Bars and taverns, including bar areas of restaurants
• Bowling centers
• Bingo halls
• Private and fraternal organizations
• Employee break rooms
• Restaurants
• Private offices and commercial office buildings
• Retail and wholesale establishments
• Manufacturing plants and mills
• Truck stops
• Child and adult day-care
• Assisted living facilities
• Movies theaters and indoor entertainment venues
• Hotels and motels (Exception: up to 25 percent of guest rooms may be designated as smoking rooms by the owner or entity in charge)
• Work vehicles that are not operated exclusively by one employee