Health Board to talk smoking restrictions
By Traci Angel, Jackson Hole, Wyo.
December 15, 2008
County health board members are meeting Tuesday to further discuss a change to the county’s food code that would ban smoking in restaurants and bars.
The meeting begins at 9 a.m. and will have a time for public comment.
Teton District Board of Health members asked attorney Keith Gingery at their Oct. 28 meeting to see whether the appointed board could authorize a change to food code to classify tobacco smoke as a toxic substance.
The county health board is tackling the smoking regulation issue after town council members halted previous talk saying restrictions are unnecessary. County commissioners lack ordinance power, attorney Gingery said.
Town council members argued that a widespread ban was unnecessary because only The Virginian Saloon still allows customers to smoke.
Without a measure that prohibits tobacco inside, owners of smoke-free establishments could reverse their decisions and allow smoking, Teton County Tobacco Prevention program manager Julia Heemstra said. Secondhand smoke is seen as a health hazard to employees.
Unlike attempts at the town council level, which would have had a broader smoking ban including places where the public often went, such as offices and parks, the health board’s measure targets only restaurants and bars.
The state’s Joint Interim Labor, Health and Social Services Committee recently approved a statewide smoke-free bill.
The board is also expected to hear a report about the county health department’s plan to set up a Centering Pregnancy program for mothers-to-be who may not have health insurance or the ability to pay for prenatal care.
Gregory said she would give the board an update and direction from the state health department regarding the program.
The program, geared to serve 80 pregnant women a year, would provide prenatal and wellness information in a group setting. County health department officials have been talking with county commissioners to address local obstetricians’ concerns with the program. Doctors are worried that their quality of work may suffer if they only see a patient for delivery.
The health department has received $10,000 from the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole as well as $10,000 from the Wyoming Community Foundation to go toward program expenses.
