New Poll Finds Helena's Voters Support Suspended Smoking Ban [07/07-3]
Excerpts from:
New poll finds strong support for Helena smoking ban
Billings Gazette [07/06/04]
Two of three Helena voters support the city's suspended ban on smoking in indoor
public places, according to results of a new poll released Tuesday.
The survey, conducted by Harstad Strategic Research for a coalition of anti-smoking groups last month, comes as the Montana Supreme Court considers the fate of a law that diluted the ban by exempting bars with gambling machines.
The poll found 66 percent of those questioned favor the ordinance that has been put on hold while the court case is pending. Thirty-one percent oppose the ban. That is similar to the June 2002 vote in which the ordinance was approved by residents, 61 percent to 39 percent.
Sixty-three percent said they would like the Helena ban enforced without further delays caused by court challenges, and 75 percent said cities should have the right to ban smoking as Helena did.
"Helena voters clearly understand the public health value of our comprehensive smoke-free policy," said Dr. Richard Sargent, a Helena physician and leading advocate of the anti-smoking law.
The Helena ordinance has sparked strong debate since its adoption two years ago.
Advocates said it was needed to protect and improve public health, and that local governments should have the power to enact such bans. Critics countered the prohibition infringed on private property rights and cost bars big money in an industry where eight of 10 customers smoke.
The 2003 Legislature passed a law excluding casinos from local smoking bans, and the Supreme Court heard arguments in April over whether that move was legal.
The results are almost identical to those from a statewide poll conducted by the same firm for the same groups in December 2002. That survey found 66 percent favored and 29 percent opposed smoking bans.
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