More places are added to the list beginning Thursday

The law banning smoking in Oregon workplaces will cover more places starting Thursday. Some welcome the change, others do not.

Current law prohibits smoking in offices, manufacturing plants, restaurants, movie theaters and other locations.

The new law also covers bars and taverns, bingo halls, private and fraternal organizations and others.

The 2002 law allowed for penalizing businesses $50 a day or up to $1,000 a month for infractions. The new one calls for a $500 per day fine, capped at $2,000 in 30 days.

Several cities, including Eugene and Corvallis, already have ordinances that prohibit smoking inside bars and other businesses and require smokers to remain at least 10 feet away from the business’ doors and windows.

Some local smokers say they understand patrons may want to eat, drink or do other business in a smoke-free environment, but say those places already exist, as many restaurants and bars chose to be smoke-free before the expanded ban.

“I don’t understand this law to begin with,” said Alice Todd of Albany. Todd is an Army veteran and has been a member of the American Legion — a private club — for 12 years. She is also a smoker. “It’s not something we voted on.”

“I will not support Oregon and its law because they are taking away a right,” she said. “I will still come down here and support the club, but I will not play the machines. I will go to Spirit Mountain because they support my rights.”

Casinos on sovereign tribal land such as Spirit Mountain are exempt from the smoking ban.

“I’ve always liked to keep it local,” Todd said. “But since the ban on smoking, I will not come here and play the Oregon state machines.”

Milton Zemanek of Albany is a regular at Humpty’s Dump Bar and Grill. He said he understands the intent of the law but doesn’t like government telling people how to live.

“But for people who work here it’s healthier for them. It’s not their choice (to smoke), it’s mine. I can go outside, no big deal.”

Gametime Sportsbar owner Erik Garcia said he looks forward to the ban.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he said. Until recently he worked in Corvallis, “and it was nice to not be around smoke.”

His business is just starting out, so it will be easier to establish it as a non-smoking establishment.

“We are going to have an outdoor patio coming in spring and there will be no smoking out there either,” he said. “That way children and families can be out there too.”

Garcia said the transition may be more difficult for businesses that have allowed smoking.

Linn County health director Frank Moore said the new law simply expands the one already in place.

“Many businesses are making outdoor smoking areas,” he said. “I think there is a balancing act ... and many businesses are making accommodations for those who smoke.”

He added that the role of the Linn County Health Department is to educate people and businesses about the law and provide resources to those who would like to quit smoking. Enforcement is a state matter.

We refered to additional comments at the end of the online version of AnneMarie's story on the smoking ban, and here they are:

More thoughts on the smoking-free workplace law

Alice Todd, Albany, American Legion member for 12 years:

“They are taking the tax we pay on smokes for this and that. If everyone quit today, where would that revenue come from? They are going to have to tax something else.

“They want you to smoke and pay taxes but they don’t want you to smoke because it’s bad for your health. Where’s that money going to come from?”

Todd said she does not smoke in her home.

“We’ll smoke in our vehicle,” when at the club, she said.

“People should be allowed to be free from smoke,” she said. “I always ask when I sit down next to someone. It’s common curtesy.”

Paul Joel, Albany, American Legion member for 17 years, on the house committee and honor and color guards:

“It ain’t going very good with most people here. Most people that come here who drink, smoke. The law allows the sale of cigarettes at bars but won’t let you smoke.”

Joel estimated about two-thirds of the legion’s members come there to smoke.

“If everyone stopped doing both where would they get the tax revenue?”

The group is considering building a small outdoor smoking area but is not sure it will be able to meet structural requirements. “I don’t know if people will want to go outside in bad weather.”

“It’s going to affect business, big time,” he said of the new law. “It definitely will be a loss for awhile. At least two months before it starts to balance out.

“We have non-smokers that don’t feel it’s right against the smokers and smokers that don’t feel it’s right against the non-smokers.”

Asked if the non-smokers mind, he said:

“They mind they smoke, but they understand it’s mostly smokers. It’s just been a way of life that’s going to change.”

Donna Johnson, Albany, American Legion member for 26 years:

“I just wish they would leave people alone and let them make their own decisions. Besides, this is a private club and a lot of our veterans smoke. When my uncle was in the military in World War II they furnished his cigarettes.

“There are restaurants that are non-smoking and restaurants that are smoking and some that are half and half. People have a choice. I believe that is our right under the constitution. Bingo (at the club) is smoking and non-smoking and people choose where they want to sit.

“It’s like the helmet law, if you want to ruin your head when you fall off your motorcycle, it’s your choice.”

Amanda Rogers, Albany, employee at American Legion:

“We have a lot of people that don’t smoke and they still come in. They know what they are coming for.”

Rogers said she heard several non-smokers say they don’t like the new law.

“People are already saying they won’t come in.”

Milton Zemanek, Albany, a regular at Humpty’s Dump Bar and Grill.

“I’ll smoke less. What pisses me off is the government coming in and telling me what to do. It’s a personal choice.”

He believes participation in a smoke-free workplace should be optional.

“Humpty’s Dump is Humpty’s Dump. We love the Dump, great service and great food. You’ve been able to smoke in here since it opened.”

Zemanek said he has friends in Salem who chose to make theirs a non-smoking bar.

“I was proud of them. It should be your choice to go to a smoking bar or a non-smoking bar.”

“I feel my rights are taken away from me more than anything else. This is just another way of putting a nail in the coffin for America. I don’t like being a sheep.”

“Every bar I’ve been in in Corvallis is packed,” he added, so he doesn’t think the ban will hurt business.

The transmission center manager said he smokes at work now and will later.

“I don’t smoke around customers and I don’t smoke around people who don’t smoke. So it limits that.

“Write me a ticket.”