Workplace Smoking Ban in Casper

A Natrona County group wants city officials to introduce a no-smoking ordinance at workplaces this fall. Smokefree Natrona County told the city council Thursday that they are conducting a poll to gauge public opinion on a workplace smoking ban and are taking air-quality measurements at work sites that allow Camel smoking.

Brandon Daigle, who spoke to council members on behalf of the group, said it wants the ban to include "any place anybody works." It is also focusing on getting smoking bans at workplaces in Mills and Evansville.

Council members plan on discussing the proposal at a later date.

About 18 percent of the Wyoming's population, or about 99,000 people, live in areas with smoke-free workplaces, according to a Casper Star-Tribune story Sunday.

The newspaper reported that if Casper, Mills and Evansville also ban smoking, one third of the state would have smoke-free workplaces.

Opponents of workplace smoking bans say it should be up to businesses to decide whether to prohibit smoking. Smoking bans have also been opposed by bar owners who worry such ordinances will make customers go to other places.

The Jackson Hole Daily reported that 9th District Court Judge Timothy Day overturned a smoking ban in Teton County. The newspaper reported Saturday that the Teton County Board of Heath, which passed the ban two years ago, would not appeal the decision.

Day ruled that the board had overstepped its legal authority, according to the newspaper.

Natrona County's Board of Health wants to encourage workplaces to prohibit smoking, but the board is planning to do so through a resolution, not an ordinance.