=> Vox Populi ©
2004-07-15 06:21:24 UTC
Article Published: Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Jeffco survey finds favor for public-smoking bans
By Ann Schrader
Denver Post Staff Writer
The idea of smoking bans in workplaces and public places, including bars
and restaurants, find favor with about six in 10 residents of Arvada, Lakewood
and Westminster.
Wheat Ridge residents are split on the issue, according to a survey
released Tuesday by the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment.
The $18,000 survey, paid for by state health tobacco prevention funds,
asked residents of the four cities to what extent they agreed or disagreed with
the idea of smoking bans for specific locations such as parks, bowling alleys,
bingo parlors, building entrances and restaurants.
Smoking bans in bars received the least support, ranging from 37 percent
saying they "strongly agree" and "somewhat agree" in Wheat Ridge to 47 percent
in Lakewood.
"We're seeing much-stronger citizen support (for smoking bans in public areas)
than Pueblo and Fort Collins did before they enacted bans," said Donna
Viverette, county tobacco prevention program coordinator.
Dr. Mark Johnson, county health executive director, said the results show that
residents "want protection from the negative health effects of secondhand smoke.
Now it is up to the policymakers to respond."
Jefferson County and Arvada are reviewing possible action to further restrict
public smoking.
On Aug. 2, a task force will submit a public smoking report to the Arvada City
Council, but the recommendations are not expected to be unanimous.
"The council will have to make a decision on how to proceed on this, whether to
make a policy change or put it on the ballot," said city spokeswoman Maria
VanderKolk.
Earlier this year, county commissioners asked department heads to review what a
ban would mean and asked the county health department for more information.
"The commissioners have come to no conclusions on what they want to do with
this," county spokesman John Masson said.
A similar survey of residents in unincorporated areas of Jefferson County showed
that 68 percent "strongly support" or "somewhat support" smoking bans in all
workplaces and public places. But that survey did not specifically mention bars.
A big issue for business owners and government officials is a ban's economic
impact.
Viverette said the survey showed that of those who responded, more than
one-third would frequent bars and restaurants more often if those places were
100 percent smoke- free.
The survey was conducted during June by the National Research Center Inc., which
mailed questionnaires to 4,000 randomly selected households in the four cities.
The overall response rate was 47 percent.
Fifty-three Colorado counties and cities have public-smoking bans, ranging from
Greeley's total ban for public buildings and outdoor places to Douglas County's
ban on smoking in county buildings.
Jeffco survey finds favor for public-smoking bans
By Ann Schrader
Denver Post Staff Writer
The idea of smoking bans in workplaces and public places, including bars
and restaurants, find favor with about six in 10 residents of Arvada, Lakewood
and Westminster.
Wheat Ridge residents are split on the issue, according to a survey
released Tuesday by the Jefferson County Department of Health and Environment.
The $18,000 survey, paid for by state health tobacco prevention funds,
asked residents of the four cities to what extent they agreed or disagreed with
the idea of smoking bans for specific locations such as parks, bowling alleys,
bingo parlors, building entrances and restaurants.
Smoking bans in bars received the least support, ranging from 37 percent
saying they "strongly agree" and "somewhat agree" in Wheat Ridge to 47 percent
in Lakewood.
"We're seeing much-stronger citizen support (for smoking bans in public areas)
than Pueblo and Fort Collins did before they enacted bans," said Donna
Viverette, county tobacco prevention program coordinator.
Dr. Mark Johnson, county health executive director, said the results show that
residents "want protection from the negative health effects of secondhand smoke.
Now it is up to the policymakers to respond."
Jefferson County and Arvada are reviewing possible action to further restrict
public smoking.
On Aug. 2, a task force will submit a public smoking report to the Arvada City
Council, but the recommendations are not expected to be unanimous.
"The council will have to make a decision on how to proceed on this, whether to
make a policy change or put it on the ballot," said city spokeswoman Maria
VanderKolk.
Earlier this year, county commissioners asked department heads to review what a
ban would mean and asked the county health department for more information.
"The commissioners have come to no conclusions on what they want to do with
this," county spokesman John Masson said.
A similar survey of residents in unincorporated areas of Jefferson County showed
that 68 percent "strongly support" or "somewhat support" smoking bans in all
workplaces and public places. But that survey did not specifically mention bars.
A big issue for business owners and government officials is a ban's economic
impact.
Viverette said the survey showed that of those who responded, more than
one-third would frequent bars and restaurants more often if those places were
100 percent smoke- free.
The survey was conducted during June by the National Research Center Inc., which
mailed questionnaires to 4,000 randomly selected households in the four cities.
The overall response rate was 47 percent.
Fifty-three Colorado counties and cities have public-smoking bans, ranging from
Greeley's total ban for public buildings and outdoor places to Douglas County's
ban on smoking in county buildings.