Smoking debate put off

The first public airing of a legislative effort to ban smoking in private clubs and bars was snuffed out suddenly on Wednesday after one lawmaker says the ban does not go far enough.

Senate Minority Whip Ron Allen, D-Stansbury Park, said he intends to bring a measure that would extinguish smoking indoors — from the Salt Lake International Airport to private fraternal lodges such as the Elks or Eagles.

"Let's debate it here," Allen said, moments after ending the discussion with a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee.

His comments came after an hourlong debate of legislation brought by Sen. Michael Waddoups, R- West Jordan, that would remove the current exemptions to Utah's Indoor Clean Air Act that allow smoking in private clubs and bars.

SB77 has the support of several anti-tobacco organizations as well as the Utah Hospital Association, whose representative Dave Gessell said it would be good public policy for the state to institute the ban.

"Cigarettes are a legal product proven to be lethal," he said.

Supporters say states like California and New York that have already prohibited smoking in clubs have seen business increase, with more people willing to patronize the establishments.

But Bob Brown, a private club owner and vice president of the Utah Hospitality Association, said looking to those states is an unfair comparison because Utah's clubs and bars are "private," and by membership only, while the same is not true in California and New York.

"These are not public places. I have to agree to let people join and they join knowing full well there is smoking going on."

Brown, owner of Cheers to You, said Utah law already allows club owners to prohibit smoking if they choose, so the ban shouldn't be forced on clubs that want to allow patrons a choice.

"I paid for my private club, it should be my choice."

Waddoups and supporters, however, say it is a workers' rights issue and secondhand smoke is a daily threat to employees who have no choice.

Brown countered that, saying employees of several private clubs are circulating a petition opposed to the ban.

The issue is expected to receive another debate for the same committee at its next meeting.

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