New Oregon law prohibits smoking in bars and taverns

Oregon, United States, December 31: A measure to snuff out smoking inside Oregon bars and taverns is finally going to see the light of day. As of January 1st, the state smoking ban applies to all indoor public places.

Following closely on the heels of Washington, California, New York, Massachusetts and 20 other states, the era of smoking bars in all its smelly stinky environs will come to a close in New Oregon.

The legislature approved the indoor ban on smoking 18 months ago, giving the businesses a long rope to prepare for the ordeal. The new law is an expansion of the 2001 ban prohibiting smoking within 10 feet of doors and windows. Also, 75 percent of the rooms in hotels and motels are to be non-smoking, under the new provision.

Bars that do not enforce the ban can be fined up to 500-2,000 dollars daily for violating the law by the Department of Human Services. The only exception to this rule is smoking shops and tribal casinos.

The issue has sparked a flurry of strong feelings. Linda Lou of Salem says, “I don’t understand why they have to tell us we can’t smoke in a bar. I mean, in a bar. Pretty soon its going to be can’t smoke in our house.”

Sara Blanke, another commoner, aired her views “It’s kind of puritanical wave sweeping this country.”

There are people who understand a smoking ban in restaurants, but a ban in a bar is trifle difficult to digest for most smokers.

Another regular smoker stated, “I think they are stepping on our rights, everybody has rights as Americans.”

However there are some who are elated by this measure of the State. Count Karen Lorts declared, “I am suffering. I am telling you its nasty. It permeates your clothes, your hair. I wake up next day and my eyes are dried out.”

Health Organizations say only about 20 percent of the state smokes, which is one of the lowest rates in the country. This ban could help those smokers who are in the process of trying to quit. Catherine Cushing of Public Health Division said it was about protecting the health of Oregon citizens. “We feel like we’re ready for it.”

Revenue officials expect drop of about 25 million dollars from cigarette tax revenues. Mazen Malik, an economist, is optimistic. He says a study of other states showed that after the initial fall in sales, eventually most businesses bounced back.

Malik believes “It’s not going to be the total disaster that all businesses are going to vanish completely because of the ban. At the same time it is not going to be one small hiccup with no impact ever.”

Summing up the whole debate, some one has very aptly put it “I think everyone is smoking any way. There is no sense in all of it.”