Casper (WY) repeals bar smoking ban
CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Not all of America is moving toward banning smoking indoors and out. Months after prohibiting it, Casper, Wyo., is now telling smokers that it’s OK to light up in some public spaces.
The City Council voted 5-4 earlier this month to repeal part of an indoor smoking ban in effect since September. The vote lifted the ban for bars, but kept it in place for restaurants.
Bar owners had complained they were losing business to competitors in two nearby towns that allowed smoking. Repeal supporters also said it was an example of government getting too involved in civic life, citing New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s efforts to ban super-sized soft drinks.
“Just like what Mayor Bloomberg has done, or tried to do, with sugared drinks. It’s just not going to stop unless somebody stands up and says, ‘Wait a minute,’ and ’Let’s use some common sense here,’ ” said Pat Sweeney, owner of a hotel with a bar now smoke-free because of the ban.
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“The more liberal side of our populace is trying to get too much into touchy-feely and government control of everything,” said one of the new councilmen, Steve Cathey.
Proponents of amending the ordinance said the changes apply to relatively few businesses. They include only about half a dozen bars. Most of Casper’s dozens of other bars are within restaurants or already prohibited smoking before the ban took effect.
http://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/casper-repeals-bar-smoking-ban/article_1f8b354a-e011-11e2-8cb9-0019bb2963f4.html
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