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Tobacco‑prevention worker shares local survey showing strong support for 30‑foot smoke‑free buffer
Summary
Amanda Boyer presented results from local surveys showing majority support for a 30‑foot buffer banning smoking/vaping near business entrances; she said she will collect more feedback and does not expect to bring an ordinance to a vote for about six months while commissioners review language.
Amanda Boyer presented a tobacco‑prevention report to the Granite County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 16, summarizing about 135 survey responses collected over 18 months and outreach at schools and health fairs.
Boyer said survey results showed 71% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that secondhand smoke bothered them, 83.7% said they did not like breathing secondhand smoke or vapor when entering businesses, and roughly 79.2% favored an ordinance requiring a 30‑foot distance from business entrances. She noted similar ordinances have been passed in neighboring jurisdictions (Powell County and Anaconda) and said that Anaconda’s version has been in place since 2018.
Commissioners and the public asked about sample size and representativeness; Boyer said she had canvassed Main Street in Phillipsburg, collected surveys at water‑billing offices and health fairs, and worked to avoid a sample biased toward health‑sector respondents. She said most surveys were anonymous and only one respondent provided a name.
Boyer said she is still collecting input and would likely present draft ordinance language to the board of health before the county commissioners, and she does not expect a formal vote within the next six months to allow commissioners and county attorneys to review the language and potential legal implications.
Next steps: Boyer will continue outreach, the board of health will consider draft language, and commissioners encouraged staff to review how similar ordinances have been implemented in nearby counties.
