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Utah Senate moves smoking restrictions forward, votes to read SB 19 for third time
Summary
Senate debate on SB 19 narrowed exemptions to Utah's Clean Air Act, targeting smoking in bars, taverns and private clubs to reduce secondhand smoke; the chamber voted 18'to'10 to read the bill for a third time after extended floor debate.
The Utah Senate advanced legislation that would remove several exemptions to the state Clean Air Act, including smoking in bars, taverns and private clubs, voting 18 to 10 to have Senate Bill 19 read for a third time. Sponsor Senator Wadups said the bill removes exemptions for ‘‘bars, taverns, private clubs, fraternals, social clubs, and country clubs’’ to reduce exposure to secondhand smoke and protect workplace health.
Wadups framed the bill as a public-health measure, citing state health-study figures and asserting the state bears significant Medicaid and productivity costs tied to smoking. ‘‘The annual health care costs in Utah directly caused by smoking is $322,000,000,’’ he said, and highlighted a $96,000,000 share borne by the state Medicaid program.
Supporters stressed worker safety. Senator Bramble read constituent testimony from a Moab bartender who called the issue ‘‘a workplace safety issue’’ and urged lawmakers to protect employees. Senator Ehrenth emphasized musicians and venue workers, saying secondhand smoke is a health problem that limits livelihood options for many performers who work in bars.
Opponents argued the bill infringes on private-property and personal rights. Senator Hatch warned of a ‘‘slippery slope’’ and said government intrusion into owners'management of private establishments raised concerns about where lines would be drawn. Senator Walker said there should be some legal places where smokers can gather and described difficulty supporting a total ban as it would remove options for private clubs.
Several senators who had previously opposed the measure said they had changed their votes after weighing rights and health trade-offs. Senator Stevenson said he had once voted against the measure but now supported it, framing secondhand smoke as an infringement on others'health: ‘‘my right to swing my cigarette begins where your lungs began,’’ he said.
After debate, the Senate voted to read SB 19 for the third time, a procedural step that advances the bill toward final passage. The roll-call to move to third reading recorded 18 yes votes, 10 no votes and 1 absent. The bill will return for third-reading consideration and any final votes required by the Senate.
The chamber's further schedule for SB 19, including any amendments or final passage vote, will be determined when the bill returns to the floor.
