Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Health Airport Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Senate rejects SB 61 to remove enclosed smoking rooms at Salt Lake Airport after public‑health and accommodation debate
Summary
Senate Bill 61 (sponsored by Senator Vickers), which would have required the removal of enclosed smoking rooms at Salt Lake International Airport (with an implementation‑delay amendment), failed on a 14–15 final vote after senators debated public‑health concerns and traveler accommodation arguments.
Senator Vickers sponsored SB 61 to require Salt Lake International Airport to eliminate enclosed smoking rooms; the senator offered Amendment 1 to delay the effective date to give the city and airlines time to implement changes. Vickers framed the measure as aligning Salt Lake with other major U.S. airports and as a public‑health improvement.
Supporters, including public‑health‑minded senators, described secondhand smoke as a public‑health hazard and said the nation’s busiest airports have already moved away from indoor smoking areas. “Secondhand smoking is real,” Senator Escamilla said, urging a no‑smoking‑room policy on public‑health grounds.
Opponents said removing designated smoking rooms could create other problems for travelers who rely on those spaces, including creating crowds of smokers outside terminal doors and inconveniencing layover travelers. Several senators recounted constituent feedback and said the current arrangement offered a controlled accommodation.
After extended discussion and explanation of the amendment, the Senate held a roll‑call final vote and the measure failed, with the clerk recording 14 yea votes and 15 nay votes.
Next steps: With the final vote failing on the floor, SB 61 will not be sent forward from the Senate.
