Gregoire supports statewide ban on smoking

OLYMPIA — Gov. Christine Gregoire said yesterday she would support a statewide ban on smoking in public places such as restaurants and bowling alleys.

But even lawmakers who want to make Washington the ninth state with a statewide smoking ban say if the legislation goes forward, a compromise appears likely to exempt bars.

The smoking ban has been proposed in the Senate and the House this year. A similar measure was advocated last year as part of an initiative campaign that failed because it didn't attract enough signatures to get on the ballot.

Supporters say it would protect workers and patrons from the health risks of secondhand smoke.

Opponents say it could be catastrophic for some businesses with a smoker clientele. House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam, said she doubts that the ban outlined in House Bill 1714 (and Senate Bill 5592) will make it very far.

"From my perspective, I am fearful of the complete banning of smoking in areas like bars," she said.

During a press conference, Gregoire said she supported the legislation, but she would be happy with an "incremental step" banning smoking in areas frequented by children.

Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell, said she decided to sponsor Senate Bill 5592 when her daughter was negatively affected by secondhand smoke at work.

"Workers are having to choose between their health and job," McAuliffe said. "This is the right thing to do for the health of the workers."

Even though the bill has not done well in the past, it is backed by eight senators, and McAuliffe is hopeful the smoking ban would fare well in the Senate.

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, said it was not a partisan issue, and would come down to a vote-by-vote on the floor.

Brown said it was likely an alternate version of the bill would have "more momentum" than an absolute ban on smoking, but it is still too soon to tell.

State Secretary of Health Mary Selecky said that businesses usually do better when they opt for no smoking. She said that states with complete smoking bans prove that "smoke-free air has a positive effect" and has not hurt their economies.

The 20 percent of Washingtonians who are smokers are "creating a health problem for 100 percent of the rest of us," Selecky said.

The state Department of Health estimates about 45 percent of Washingtonians are exposed to secondhand smoke at home, and about 60 percent are affected at work. Nationally, experts estimate about 3,000 nonsmokers die from lung disease a year.

Rep. Jeannie Darneille, D-Tacoma, signed on as a sponsor to the House smoking-ban bill but has her own concerns. Darneille said she saw businesses in her district suffer under last year's short-lived smoking ban in Pierce County.

While Darneille prefers an all-out ban, she proposed the compromise legislation, House Bill 1670, which would restrict smoking everywhere except adult-only venues.

"I don't think we're there yet, and I don't know if we will be there soon," she said. "There is still a choice about smoking in this country. It is not an illegal act."

The states with complete smoking bans are California, Maine, Delaware, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Vermont and Florida.

Christina Siderius: 360-236-8169 or csiderius@seattletimes.com