06/18/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ms. Schue stated they would do the research before bringing the ordinance back to the council. She sees this as primarily an educational activity allowing legal enforcement when necessary. e Smoking used to be allowed in the Council Chamber, but about five years ago no-smoking signs were posted and ashtrays remained and she hasn't seen anyone smoking in there since. Ms. Miller stated that in the New England Journal of Medicine about six weeks ago there was an article which stated that passive smoking is just about as harmful to one's health, if a person is exposed to it on a sustained basis over a period of years, as is moderate cigarette smoking over the same period of time. There is an effect on the cardia-vascular system. Approximately 200,000 deaths each year in the United States are caused by the use of tobacco' products compared to about 100,000 deaths caused from traffic accidents, according to the article. She feels this is a major public health problem. The situation is that smokers should be able to smoke if they wish, but not when it jeopardizes someone else. Reasonable, enforceable laws should be established. The law should be enforced by voluntary compliance rather than by other means. Specifically, item 2 (taxi cabs) should perhaps be reworded to indi- cate that smoking would be permitted according to customer "or" driver preference. Item 4 (theaters, etc.) should have the same sort of language as some of the others--barriers, ventilation, etc.--to minimize the effects. Any references to school buildings should conform to the University's and Lane Community College's policies if possible. She understands item 8 (conference rooms) to mean that e separate areas would be designated by the person in charge so smokers would be on one side and non-smokers could be on the other with those who do not care sitting in the middle. She asked for clarification if that is not what item 8 means. Item 9 (indoor work places) may be difficult to get agreement on, but she thinks it means that if all , employees in the area agree, smoking would be okay. If they don't all agree, then employers can try to work out different accommodations, divide people so non-smokers are together, or else designate a non- smoking area. Item 11 (indoor service and waiting areas) should have the same provisions as item 7 since they are so similar. Mr. Obie stated that he agrees with most of what Ms. Miller said. He is concerned that the council does not pass laws which people will ignore. The council has the responsibility to consider public accept- ance of the law--if people don't accept it, it would be creating a poor environment for citizenship. He would like to approach this with the concept that the no-smoking standard be established where there is public acceptance and as public acceptance grows, it could be expanded. Many of the proposed items fit within those parameters but others would - 6/18/80--8