Improved Smoking Ban

The Oregon House approved Senate bill 0571-B to ban smoking bars, taverns and bingo halls.
The bill passed 38-21 after the defeat of proposals to extend the date for bingo hall compliance to 2010 and exempt Portland Meadows racetrack. and Beginning January 1, 2009, the number of indoor workplaces required to be smoke free will expand to include bars, bingo halls, bowling centers, employee break rooms, and workplaces ,and at least 75 percent of hotel and motel sleeping rooms. The new law will also prohibit smoking within at least 10 feet of all building entrances, exits, windows, ventilation intakes and public places. Many local bars and restaurants have already gone smoke free and the response has been positive. Supporters say that 800 Oregonians a year die as a result of secondhand smoke, and the bill would save lives and reduce health care costs.
LINK TO SENATE BILL 571-B