Smoke-Free Denver Possible?
City Considers Drafting No-Smoking Ordinance
POSTED: 1:11 p.m. MDT October 24, 2002
UPDATED: 2:59 p.m. MDT October 24, 2002
DENVER -- More than 3,000 people have signed a petition urging Denver to consider banning smoking at bars, restaurants and workplaces.
The effort by the antismoking groups has prompted Denver's Department of Environmental Health to consider drafting a tougher ordinance for the City Council.
Ten Colorado communities currently ban all smoking or require smoking sections be separated by a wall. The most recent city that banned smoking in public places is Louisville, which enforced the ban in early October.
Other major cities considering a smoking ban include New York, Boston and Chicago.
Officials say the tough part is to strike a balance between public health issue and private rights.
Some restaurant and bar owners fear that the smoking ban would hurt business.
The effort by the antismoking groups has prompted Denver's Department of Environmental Health to consider drafting a tougher ordinance for the City Council.
Ten Colorado communities currently ban all smoking or require smoking sections be separated by a wall. The most recent city that banned smoking in public places is Louisville, which enforced the ban in early October.
Other major cities considering a smoking ban include New York, Boston and Chicago.
Officials say the tough part is to strike a balance between public health issue and private rights.
Some restaurant and bar owners fear that the smoking ban would hurt business.
Previous Stories:
- October 8, 2002: No Lighting Up In Louisville
- August 26, 2002: Anti-Smoking Campaign Targets Colorado Smokers
- October 16, 2001: 'Quitline' Offered To Help Smokers Kick Habit
- April 2, 2001: Students Trying Smoking In Record Numbers
- March 27, 2001: Women's Smoking Deaths Double Since 1965
Copyright 2002 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
