HELENA, Mont. –– The Montana House of Representatives on Wednesday defeated Senate Bill 150, siding with the overwhelming majority of voters who have stated a clear preference to not have cigar smoke polluting the spaces where they dine and gather with family and friends.
SB 150 was defeated 54-45 on third reading and cancer patients, survivors, caregivers and advocates from throughout the state call on lawmakers to continue to honor the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act and not reconsider. The bill would allow cigar smoking in restaurants, bars and gaming facilities that are currently smoke-free.
“The lawmakers listened to the people and voted accordingly,” ACS CAN Montana Grassroots Manager Katharine Sutphen said. “For the work of our advocates to make such a difference and for lawmakers to understand the significant need to keep our indoor air clean and then take action to keep it that way makes an important statement about the priorities in our state. We care about a healthy future.”
State polling shows that 89% of Montana voters across the political spectrum support the Clean Indoor Air Act and 77% oppose allowing cigar smoking in bars. Everyone has the right to breathe clean, smoke-free air regardless of where they live, work, or play. Nobody should have to choose between a job and long-term health, which is clearly put at greater risk with any exposure to carcinogens.
Allowing cigar smoking in enclosed public places in our state would be a step backwards for the health of Montanans. Secondhand smoke from cigars poses significant health risks to people who smoke and those around them. There is simply no way that allowing cigar smoking does anything but move Montana’s quality of life backward and provide a gift to Big Tobacco.