No-smoking policy part of a bigger assault against tobacco use

By John Grant Emeigh, of The Montana Standard - 04/08/2007

Dr. Robert Shepard remembers when he and fellow physician Dr. Richard Sargent started pushing for no smoking laws in public buildings, restaurants and bars six years ago.

A weekly Helena newspaper at the time parodied the two doctors in an editorial cartoon. It showed a jackbooted military “Sargent” with a vicious German “Shepard” intimidating a scared bartender into accepting their no-smoking policy.

Shepard said he can laugh about the cartoon now.

“But when we started, we got our fair share of flack, but it’s settled down to a dull roar,” he said.

In 2001, Helena went smoke-free in all public buildings, bars and restaurants. Shepard, along with the efforts of Smoke Free Montana, saw the Legislature in 2005 adopt the Clean Indoor Air Act, which expanded the ban across the state.

Though some bars and casinos in Montana have a temporary exception until 2009, Shepard said the ban is already making a difference to public health.

“There’s not only been an immediate health benefit, it leads to people quitting,” Shepard said.

Health officials say they don’t want this law to just keep non-smokers from being exposed to second-hand smoke, they want the law to encourage people to quit smoking.

It appears to be working, according to Linda Lee with the Montana Tobacco Use Prevention Program.

Lee said the program has learned that teen smoking has dropped from 27 percent to 17 percent since 2000. Though adult smoking has only gone down less than a percentage point in that time, Shepard said he’s confident more smokers will quit as time passes.

It’s all part of the “three-pronged attack” against tobacco use, Shepard said.

The Clean Indoor Air Act was one part of the assault. Smoke Free Montana also encourages increasing taxes on tobacco products and more education on the dangers of smoking.

Shepard supports taxes on tobacco because he says it leads to quitting.

“Every 10 percent increase (on tobacco costs) leads to more people quitting,” he said.

Lee says increasing cigarette prices is one of the best ways to deter teens from smoking. She believes teens are less likely to purchase cigarettes due to the expense and, thus, less likely to become addicted.

“The good news is teen smoking continues to be on the decline,” she said.

Education is the third part of the attack to teach people the dangers of tobacco use.

Lee said the word about the dangers of tobacco is already flying around the globe.

“Around the world, countries are going smoke-free. Even Ireland has passed a smoke-free law preventing people from smoking in public places,” she said.

Enforcing Montana’s smoking ban begins with the state’s citizens. Shepard said people need to be vigilant in reporting anyone they see violating the clean air act. Complaints need to be made in writing to the state Department of Public Health.

The penalty for smoking in a non-smoking area can be a misdemeanor charge with a fine up to $100. Business owners who do not comply can receive penalties that include a misdemeanor charge and a fine of up to $500.

Reporter John Grant Emeigh may be reached via e-mail at john.emeigh@lee.net or by telephone, 496-5511.