Tempe Voters Back Smoking Ban Expansion


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Background: "What Tempe For Healthy Smoke-Free Workplaces Wants To Do"

We support Tempe's Proposition 200, the health protection ordinance that will be on the Tempe General Election ballot of May 21, 2002. This ordinance will achieve the goal that every worker is assured of having a safe, healthy, smoke-free indoor workplace. This applies to all indoor workplaces, all public indoor shared airspace, and to all indoor places of employment in Tempe, AZ. Smokers could still be accommodated in outdoor smoking sections. With a YES vote, the current Smoking Pollution Control Ordinance will be strengthened to remove the loopholes in worker health protection coverage which now exist.

Wednesday, May 22, 2002 [source: tobacco.org]

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - Voters narrowly approved a measure extending the city's existing ban on smoking to all restaurants, bars, pool halls and bowling alleys.

Tempe now has the strictest no-smoking law in the state, which leading up to the election had created fear among some restaurant and bar owners that smokers would take their businesses to neighboring cities that have no such restrictions.

An opposition group had said the ban would cripple businesses already suffering from increased competition.

Ban supporters argued that everyone should have the right to breathe air free of pollutants, especially hospitality workers who are subject to smoky conditions for long periods.

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Tempe, AZ Voters Approve Smoking Ban, Including Bars
Tempe voters Tuesday approved the state's toughest public smoking ban, which requires even bars to become smoke-free. "It's a win for the state of Arizona," said Tempe retired doctor Leland Fairbanks, who pledged Tempe will be the first step toward a statewide ban. Next target: Phoenix, he said.

"It was close, but no cigar - no more cigars," said Roger Egan, owner of McDuffy's Sports Bar in downtown Tempe.

Tempe smoker Michael Irish, who admits smoking a pack a day, said he wonders how Tempe plans to enforce the ban.

Heather Urquides
The Arizona Republic
May 21, 2002