Idaho Falls Council To Consider Banning Smoking In Bars

Smokers may have to think twice before they light up in a bar if a proposed Idaho Falls ordinance passes.

Last month, several bar owners met with city officials to propose a city-wide smoking ban in all bars in Idaho Falls.

“I think this has been a long time in coming that bars in Idaho Falls now come forward and said that as business owners, they would like to have smoking banned just within Idaho Falls,” said Sharon Parry of the City Council.

Nine out of the 11 bars in Idaho Falls are in support of a smoking ban, and several bar owners have cited many problems such as tobacco build-up and complaints from patrons and employees as reasons why a ban like this would be successful.

The ordinance is being drafted by the city attorney and police department.

“Right now, the state under the Clean Air Act bans smoking from any public place, except bars, and now several local bar owners have come forward and said they don’t want smoking in their bars either,” said Capt. Ken Brown of the Idaho Falls Police Department.

Bar owners have said they feel a city-wide ban is necessary to prevent losing business to other bars that may want to continue allowing smoking.

City officials say the ordinance will most likely pass. If it does, Idaho Falls won?t be alone. Boise and Moscow have a similar ban.