Man dying of cancer supports statewide smoking ban

DENVER — A panel of state lawmakers backed a proposed statewide smoking ban Monday after hearing from a man who says he is dying of lung cancer even though he’s never smoked.

The proposed ban, which was approved by a party line vote, would also bar smoking in other public places like sporting arenas and casinos. It would require that 75 percent of hotel rooms be set aside as non-smoking but wouldn’t cover businesses that sell tobacco such as cigar bars.

Next it will be considered by the full Senate, where Republicans and at least one Democrat have said they will oppose it.

During Monday’s hearing, Charles Oriez of Littleton said he worked next to people who smoked at their desks at a telecommunications company for six years in the 1980s and believes that is what caused him to get non small cell lung cancer. He discovered he was sick four years ago after he had trouble breathing while trying to shake snow off some branches following a spring snow storm.

Doctors discovered his left lung was nearly collapsed. Since then the cancer has spread to his liver, his ribs and his spine. Last Friday he began to receive drug treatments to ease the pain during what is expected to be the last few months of his life. He hasn’t been able to eat solid food since.

“People should not be forced to accept that risk as a price of holding a job,” said Oriez, 52, a Sierra Club member who led the drive to pass Littleton’s smoking ban in 1987.

The Colorado Restaurant Association, which has fought local bans, is supporting the statewide ban to level the playing field and protect businesses from a patchwork of local bans.

Bill sponsor Sen. Dan Grossman, D-Denver, said at least a dozen communities have passed bans and statewide ban would prevent businesses in smoke-free areas from losing customers to those in areas where smoking is still allowed.

He said 10 states are about to have such bans now that Montana’s Legislature has passed a similar bill.

“If they can do it in Marlboro Country, we can do it in Colorado,” Grossman said.

However, two bar owners and a trade group of small bars and taverns opposed the bill at the hearing.

James Von Feldt, owner of Billy’s Inn in Denver, said people who don’t like smoking should choose to not patronize bars where smoking is allowed.

However, Amy Hontchens told lawmakers she is exposed to the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes each day she works as a hostess at a Denver restaurant. She said service industry jobs have helped support her from high school through the present as she prepares for graduate school but she doesn’t think she should have to work around smoke.

Chuck Ford, a lobbyist for the Colorado Licensed Beverage Association, said public education is already working because about 80 percent of Coloradans don’t smoke. He said most nonsmokers don’t want to infringe on the rights of smokers.

“Do we all have to be saved from ourselves?” he asked.

Grossman said he might consider exempting a smoking lounge at Denver International Airport from the ban.

Rod Tafoya, who runs the airport lounge, said smokers who’ve just gotten off long flights will likely end up lighting up in the bathroom if they don’t have a designated place to smoke.