Business
Coppers Cope With Public Puffing
December 2, 2011 
We haven’t weighed in on the anti-smoking fiasco within Boise bars and parks until the City Councilors passed a set of ordinances that will become law January 1. Now that it illegal to puff in public we wanted to hear from the coppers who will have to enforce the law.
The GUARDIAN made an official request of the Boise PD to see how coppers plan to smother the smoke of those who blow it contrary to law. The short answer is probably “politely.” We have heard all the arguments, but still find it hard to justify a smoking ban, while allowing the consumption of alcohol. A lot more people are robbed and unwanted babies born as a result of too much booze than too much smoke.
Given the penchant for Boise’s Team Dave to be “business friendly,” perhaps they can figure out a method of licensing smoking establishments like they do the booze joints. Meanwhile, taxpayers will have to pony up the cash to defend the laws when tobacco interests make the legal challenge in court.
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Comments & Discussion
Comments are closed for this post.
Dec 2, 2011, 4:13 pm
Guardian,
Can you tell us what the policy is for the Boise Police Department and other agencies of the City for smoking in city-owned vehicles?
I would hope that no one is made to suffer from second-hand smoke or the residual tobacco/nicotine odor when enjoying a ride in a city owned vehicle.
Dec 2, 2011, 7:37 pm
Does the anti smoking bill actually specify what you can or can not smoke or is it now illegal to smoke salmon or turkey in your hooka also? I’ve never seen an actual link to the law. My specialty is smoked Boston pork shoulders for pulled pork sandwiches you would gladly die young from eating too many of.
EDITOR NOTE–The link to Boise PD policy at the bottom of the story has EVERYTHING you could possible want to know.
Dec 2, 2011, 9:25 pm
BRAD: At least with regard to BPD, I don’t see how they could smoke in the cruiser. They are always talking on their cell phones…
Eric: City webpage with info including ordinance text: http://www.cityofboise.org/Departments/Mayor/Smoke-Free/page67413.aspx
Dec 2, 2011, 11:12 pm
Nope, nothing there Dave. I’m looking for a link to the actual ordinance that would, of course, have a legal definition of “smoking” in it’s preamble. In all the discussions of this new law I’ve never seen the actual ordinance or the definition of smoking. You could say I’m looking for the smoking gun
Dec 3, 2011, 12:57 am
6-23-04 of the adopted ordinance:
15. “Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning, carrying, or possessing any combusting
(heated, lit, or smoldering) tobacco or any other substance, whether contained in a cigar,
cigarette, or pipe, or any other object. Smoking does not include possession of an unlit or
unheated cigar, cigarette, or pipe. Smoking does not include use of an e-cigarette which creates
only a vapor without any smoke.
18. “Tobacco and Tobacco Products” means tobaccos, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, tobacco pipe tobaccos, humidors, cigar cutters, pipe cleaners, pipe maintenance tools, and literature primarily for tobacco enthusiasts.
Dec 3, 2011, 3:55 pm
No, Captain, I didn’t apprehend the suspect, I grabbed for him, but he was gone like a puff of smoke.
Dec 4, 2011, 1:59 pm
Hmmm, does this mean we can look forward to spittoons in downtown Boise. Or even worse splatters of chew spit all over the place…yuk.
Dec 19, 2011, 3:03 pm
can we get a farting and belching law in place… those things offend me… oh and maybe a law against ugly people breeding… Are things not going a bit too far?
Dec 20, 2011, 3:29 am
There are many forms of ugly Rick. You might reconsider that one.
Dec 20, 2011, 11:40 am
personal attack….editor where are you??