Myers Says Smoking Ban Votes Aren't There
By Barbara Hoberock, www.tulsaworld.com ~ The author of a controversial measure to essentially ban smoking in all public places said he doesn't have the votes to get the measure passed.
Senator David Myers (pictured), R-Ponca City, said he lacks a significant number of votes to get the measure through the Senate and on to the House.
"There are some people that are still evaluating where they might stand, but it is going to be hard to get it passed," Myers said.
Senate Bill 1875 would wipe out smoking in all restaurants, taverns, bars and hotels. It builds on a 2003 law putting restrictions on smoking in public places. Myers' bill would give restaurants with separate smoking rooms until March 1, 2013, to do away with smoking. Other facilities would have until Nov. 1, 2008.
The 2003 law allowed restaurants to create separately ventilated smoking rooms. But Health Department numbers indicate only a small fraction actually built the rooms.
"A lot of businesses spent a lot of money to comply with that law," said Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, who said he will vote against Myers' bill. "I think to come along right behind it and say, 'We really didn't mean it. We are going to void that investment,' I think that is not fair to them. If people don't want to smoke, then they don't have to go there."
Senator Bill Brown, R-Broken Arrow, said he has never been a smoker but has a problem with the bill. He believes it is a violation of an individual's civil rights. "Until it is made illegal, then we can't continue limiting people in what they can do if they are not infringing on other people," Brown said.
Senator David Myers (pictured), R-Ponca City, said he lacks a significant number of votes to get the measure through the Senate and on to the House.
"There are some people that are still evaluating where they might stand, but it is going to be hard to get it passed," Myers said.
Senate Bill 1875 would wipe out smoking in all restaurants, taverns, bars and hotels. It builds on a 2003 law putting restrictions on smoking in public places. Myers' bill would give restaurants with separate smoking rooms until March 1, 2013, to do away with smoking. Other facilities would have until Nov. 1, 2008.
The 2003 law allowed restaurants to create separately ventilated smoking rooms. But Health Department numbers indicate only a small fraction actually built the rooms.
"A lot of businesses spent a lot of money to comply with that law," said Senate Co-President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, who said he will vote against Myers' bill. "I think to come along right behind it and say, 'We really didn't mean it. We are going to void that investment,' I think that is not fair to them. If people don't want to smoke, then they don't have to go there."
Senator Bill Brown, R-Broken Arrow, said he has never been a smoker but has a problem with the bill. He believes it is a violation of an individual's civil rights. "Until it is made illegal, then we can't continue limiting people in what they can do if they are not infringing on other people," Brown said.
Labels: Bill Brown, David Myers, Glenn Coffee, Smoking Ban
posted by Mike McCarville @ 12:28 PM
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