Group wants Pocatello to go smoke-free

Where smoking should be allowed in public is a debate that has been going on for years in Pocatello.

Should all public work places, including bars, be nonsmoking?

The group Smoke Free Idaho will ask the City Council Thursday to pass an ordinance to ban smoking and vaping in all businesses.

Whether you are smoking or vaping, some people argue it does harm to people who choose not to smoke.

“Honestly I think it should be up to everybody. Business owners should have the right to choose being a smoker myself I don’t choose. Being to smoke myself, I don’t choose to smoke inside just out of respect to others but I do feel that should be up to the owner of the establishment,” said Brandi Humble.

The purpose of the ordinances is to protect the public’s health in public places of employment.

“The industry knew it was coming down the pipes for a long time,” said Brian Cavanee, owner of Center Street Clubhouse Bar. “I mean it’s happening in everybody’s states. So we have kind of been preparing and we’ll prepare our facilities for the outside. That’s just something that we will have to adapt too and move on.”

The ordinance also, any electronic smoking device is one that contains or delivers nicotine through inhalation of vapor or aerosol.

“It seems that the city, along with some other people, are not informed on what vaping is and we would like to educate them on that,” said Ben Bosworth, the owner of Outlaw Vapor.

Data collected by The National Academies’ found those who work in a smoke-filled business suffer a 25 to 50 percent higher risk of heart attack.

The City Council will meet at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.