Tempe Arizona Bans smoking, Scottsdale is next. Voters gave a thumbs up to no smoking law in any public place including BARS!
Tempe voters say no to smoking
BY BARRETT MARSON
TRIBUNE
Now that Tempe voters passed the toughest smoking ban in the East Valley on Tuesday, momentum to ban puffing in the remaining cities and towns — and even the state — could grow. Lee Fairbanks, who led the effort in Tempe to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other workplaces, said he will take his movement to Scottsdale and Chandler next — then go statewide.
Fairbanks quietly rejoiced in the victory Tuesday night. Unofficial results from Tempe show 9,643 people voted for Proposition 200 and 8,717 opposed it.
“This is just the beginning of doing it on a regional and statewide basis,” Fairbanks said. The win was significant because of Tempe’s reputation as a progressive city and one with a thriving bar scene, he said. Tempe becomes the third major East Valley city to enact a smoking ban. Gilbert and Mesa also bar smoking in some workplaces. Tempe’s is the most restrictive and does not allow for any exemptions, though Fairbanks said he expects the Tempe City Council to devise an ordinance that allows smoking on patios. The law should take effect in July.
The Tempe election comes amid a new statewide poll that shows Arizona voters support a measure similar to the one approved Tuesday. The poll, by KAET-TV Channel 8, found 56 percent of registered voters supported a smoking ban in restaurants and bars with 37 percent opposed and 7 percent undecided. The poll has a margin of error of 4.8 percent.
Scottsdale Mayor Mary Manross supports a regional ban to create a level playing field among restaurants in the Valley.
“I think everyone has the right to be in a smoke-free environment,” Manross said. “For health reasons, I think it will be the right thing to do.”
In Chandler, Councilman Phil Westbrooks has been working with the Chamber of Commerce to come up with a compromise.
Jerry Piorkowski, who owns Mill Avenue Beer Co., said the ban, along with the drop in business since Sept. 11, will put him out of business.
“We’re devastated. We’re probably going to lose 20 percent to 30 percent of my business,” Piorkowski said. “There is no way we are going to be able to recover from this. By this time next year, I don’t think I’ll be able to pay the rent.”
The smoking question energized voters, bringing out more of them than in the March primary, which featured contests for three council seats. In the primary, 13,600 people voted. More than 18,600 people voted in the general election.
Emily Kaleugher wanted to see smoking remain legal in bars, where lighting up a cigarette goes hand-in-hand with drinking.
“It’s too strict. It’s a little ridiculous,” Kaleugher said after voting against Prop. 200. “When people go into a bar, they should be able to smoke.”
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