Table 2 Summary of participation and issues discussed, by state (ordered from strongest to weakest legislation)
From: Participation and argument in legislative debate on statewide smoking restrictions
State | Year initiated | Outside participants | Participant types | Major issues discussed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Utah | 1993 | 65 | Local and national advocates, including former Surgeon General C. Everett Koop | Protecting public health; risks of secondhand smoke; economic impact of a new law; state reputation for excessive moralizing |
South Dakota | 2001 | 29 | Local and national advocates, including lobbyists for Brown & Williamson and RJ Reynolds | Protecting public health; whether legislation was needed or businesses would self-regulate; personal experiences with smoking |
Florida | 1992 | 42 | Local advocates and some national organizations | Protecting public health; whether legislation was needed or businesses would self-regulate; smoker and nonsmoker rights |
Oregon | 2001 | 28 | Local advocates and some national organizations | Pre-emption clause (whether the state should prevent localities from passing more-restrictive laws); protecting public health; the views of state residents; potential negative economic impacts of a law |
North Dakota | 2001 | 12 | Local advocates and constituents | Whether government action was necessary or businesses would self-regulate; personal experiences with smoking; limited discussion about protecting public health |
Louisiana | 1992 | 3 | Tobacco industry lobbyist and legislative staffers | Importance of accommodating smokers; difficulty of enforcing smoking restrictions |