Representative Tanner presents indoor smoking restrictions bill; House circles measure for later consideration

Representative Tanner introduced House Bill 50 on behalf of a six‑month task force, saying the measure would extend statewide restrictions on environmental tobacco smoke in many public access points and businesses.

"We here in Utah now are faced with a situation where we are actually falling behind in terms of legislation dealing with environmental tobacco smoke," Tanner said, urging action and citing what he described as a Deseret News poll showing "82% of Utahns favor this type of legislation." He told colleagues the bill would cover roughly 98% of Utahns even after several exemptions and cited state and medical testimony about health and economic costs.

Members pressed Tanner on details during an extended exchange. Representative Hickman asked whether the bill would allow employees to sue employers if coworkers smoked in offices; Tanner said employers and employees generally would self‑enforce and noted exemptions for single‑owner businesses and certain private organizations. Representative Matthews questioned whether tourism losses in places such as Vermont would be a relevant comparison; Tanner replied he had received documentation from Vermont and that implementation under the bill would not take effect until July 1, 1995, giving businesses and localities time to adapt.

Tanner also described outreach materials distributed to members, including an economic development statement he said supported the bill's negligible negative effect on tourism and restaurants.

The Speaker noted a time certain at 11:00 a.m. and, after further floor discussion, the House "circled" HB 50, deferring final floor action until after the time‑certain business.

The bill will return to the floor at a later time for further debate and a possible vote.