Smoke-Free At Last

Colorado Is Smoke-Free At Last!

Mar. 27, 2006—Everyone who has been hoping for the day when Colorado would become smoke-free has reason to celebrate! Today, Governor Owens signed Colorado's first statewide smoke-free bill into law.

Under the bill’s provisions, smoking will not be allowed in bars, restaurants, and most workplaces. Notable exemptions include casinos, cigar bars, and the smoking lounges at DIA. Sen. Dan Grossman, who sponsored the bill, felt the exemptions were necessary in order for the bill to pass. Smoking will also be allowed in limousines under private hire, outdoor areas of any business (such as patios), tobacco shops, and private homes.

The American Lung Association in Colorado, along with other health organizations and individuals who have worked hard for many years to make Colorado’s workplaces smoke-free, are very pleased. Curt Huber, CEO of the American Lung Association in Colorado, said: “Although deaths from tobacco are not always as obvious as those from an earthquake or a flood or a plague, there can be no doubt that many lives were saved today.”

Now the law must be implemented, and there is still much work to be done in Colorado in the tobacco area. In the coming years, the American Lung Association will concentrate on reaching more teenagers with its N-O-T (Not On Tobacco) smoking cessation program and continuing to educate the public about the dangers of tobacco use.

Colorado is the 13th state to enact a statewide smoke-free workplace law that includes all restaurants and bars.