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Ashland might tighten rules on smoking Next month, council will take up plan like Central Point's By TONY BOOM ASHLAND - Most of the city's residents support smoke-free bars and restaurants, according to surveys. But owners and patrons of some establishments think imposing regulations might hurt business and infringe on individual rights. The City Council will consider tobacco regulations next month. Citizens for a Healthy Ashland presented a suggested ordinance to the council at a recent meeting. It will be examined during an Aug. 8 study session. Similar to ones passed in Central Point and Grants Pass, the ordinance would ban smoking in enclosed work spaces, including bars, restaurants and theaters. It would also ban smoking in public parks, require tobacco vendors to purchase a license, regulate in-store tobacco advertising and prohibit sales to minors. The ordinance was created after examining regulations from Corvallis and Philomath and generic proposals on the Web, said Kaaren Borsting, who presented the group's concerns to the council. Dr. Bill Lucas, group member and retired oncologist, said the ordinance has two main goals. The first is to limit youth access to tobacco advertising and cigarettes. The second is "to reduce the exposure of workers in restaurants and any other type of workplaces because of the significant risk imposed upon them by second-hand smoke," he said. For every eight smokers killed by tobacco, one nonsmoker will die from exposure to second-hand smoke, Lucas said. Four out of five registered voters surveyed would support an ordinance prohibiting smoking in bars and restaurants. The finding came from a telephone survey conducted this year by Southern Oregon University's sociology department. Creation of smoke-free workplaces was supported by 82 percent of the 220 respondents. "It's not fair for everybody, although it's a health problem," said LeRoi Dedeaux, manager of the Wild Goose, where smoking is allowed in the bar but not the restaurant. "I think it would affect our clientele in the bar." "I'm for it (a smoking ban) because I'm not a smoker," said Wild Goose bartender Shirley Brown. Bar patron Buck Houser, a smoker, said, "There should be smoke-free places, but smokers have a right to smoke, too." Former smoker Bill Anderson, who supports Houser's view, added, "There's too many regulations any more." Omar's bans smoking in the restaurant, except for one small, separate area during the lunch hour. Smoking is permitted in the bar. "It would impact (business). There's no doubt about that," said co-owner Don Mercer. "Why not let the market decide?" Mercer thinks town-by-town regulation hurts businesses in towns with bans. He would prefer one statewide regulation. Wild Goose owner Dal Carver also would like to see a statewide policy to ensure equitable treatment of businesses. Establishments that have barred smoking report that patrons appreciated the policy. Ashland Springs Hotel has a no-smoking policy in the Bulls-Eye Bistro, the Elfin Wood restaurant and all guest rooms. "It's been excellent for business," said general manager Dennis Godfrey. "The demographics of the guests who patronize the hotel prefer the nonsmoking environment. People look for venues where they can hear the live music and not be overwhelmed by smoke." Standing Stone Brewing Company has been smoke-free except for one separate outdoor area since it opened four years ago. "We get more compliments on being nonsmoking than we get complaints about not allowing smoking," said Standing Stone owner Emile Amarotico. Both Project A and Darex Corp. ban smoking in the workplace. Both provide designated smoking areas outside. Oregon Shakespeare Festival also bans smoking in buildings with one exception. If a role calls for smoking, actors use an herbal cigarette. "We have signage to alert the patrons at that time," said Radawna Wallace, audience service manager. "They do have the option of going in or not going in. We leave it to their discretion." Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.