The Casper City Council will be taking public comments on a proposed ordinance that would ban smoking in all indoor places.
The group Smoke Free Natrona County says the public and employees need to be protected from second hand smoke. It would ban smoking within ten feet of a building, although it exempts clubs and smoke shops.
Former Mayor Mike Reid, who owns a smoke free bar, says the city council is going too far.
“To me, it’s my business, I’m the one that’s taking all the risks. I should be able to set what happens in my building,” Reid says. “Just like, you know, I have a dress code in my bar. That’s my choice. And the city or the state or the federal government shouldn’t come along and say this is what you have to do. We’ve put up with enough of that to begin with.”
More than 25 communities have approved similar ordinances in the state. The public hearing begins Tuesday night at 6 p.m. in the Casper City Council chambers.
