Document text
CLOUDY Temp: 44 °F Wind: W at 4 mph Thursday, February 20, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 17, 2003 Since You Asked State, city laws differ on smoking restrictions A little while back, a law was put in place restricting smoking in public buildings. It seems to me that smokers were also supposed to keep their lit cigarettes a certain distance from the entrance of public buildings. If I’m correct regarding this law, can you tell me how far the smokers are supposed to keep their lit cigarettes from the entrances of public buildings. Also, what constitutes a "public" building? Does it include grocery stores, restaurants and shopping malls? — Evelyn S., Central Point You’re a little hazy on the details, Evelyn. It sounds like you’re confusing the Oregon law that regulates smoking in public places with Central Point’s municipal smoking law. The Central Point law specifically prohibits smoking within 20 feet of public buildings. The state law allows smokers to light up right outside any public building. The discrepancy occurs because the state law, which took effect Jan. 1, 2002, does not override more restrictive laws that were previously approved in other jurisdictions. The Oregon law prohibits smoking in any buildings that could be entered by the public, except for bars, bingo parlors, bowling alleys, the bar portions of restaurants and motel rooms that have been set aside for smokers. You’re not the only person to be confused by the two different standards. Julie Westholder, Jackson County’s tobacco educator, says people frequently call the county’s public health office to complain about people who are smoking right outside the door of some building. Unless those folks happen to be lighting up in Central Point, they’re fully within their rights, Westholder says. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S