Legislators listened to testimony for two hours Monday evening about a possible smoking ban in public places.

Pat Sweeney, owner of the Parkway Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, Wonder Bar and Poor Boys, was one of the only people who spoke out against the ban. He said it would hurt his businesses, especially at the hotel. The choice should be up to owners, he said.

When Sweeney bought the Wonder Bar several years ago, he decided to make it nonsmoking and it has worked, he said. However, he said the Casper Police Department has targeted patrons outside smoking for open-container violations.

Banning smoking at Poor Boys didn't work. He kept the restaurant nonsmoking but had to allow smoking in the bar because his customers were complaining.

"I received so many complaints of people wanting to come in have a cocktail, have something to eat and smoke," Sweeney told the Joint Labor, Health and Human Services Interim Committee. "My business increased with that decision."

He said there was no way he could have the hotel be smoke-free because of several large events he hosts every year. He said he wouldn't be able to control the smoking of the large groups.

More than a half dozen people spoke in favor of the smoking ban, including an oncologist and a retired cardiologist.

Dr. Tracy Coe, an oncologist who just moved to the state six months ago, said 70 percent of the cancers in her Sheridan office are smoking-related. She did not know how many were due to second-hand smoke.

Dr. Rick Davis, a retired cardiologist from Cheyenne, said smoke-free legislation would greatly reduce the occurrence of heart attacks citing a study where there was a 17 percent reduction of these events in emergency rooms.

"It's a public health hazard that rises far above the questions of personal rights and local economies, which I believe have no standing in this debate," Davis said.

Sen. John Hastert, D-Green River, said he spent about 30 minutes during the meeting trying to find studies done on the economic impact of smoking bans on businesses and couldn't find any that said there was a negative effect.

Some opponents have said the state should leave this up to local governments to deal with such as the city-wide smoking bans passed in Cheyenne, Laramie and Evanston. Anne Ladd, a citizen, said this is a state issue because of the state money that could be saved by enacting such legislation.

The state spent about $136 million in health care costs related to tobacco in 2004, Ladd said citing a University of Wyoming study. Also, she said employees at bars and restaurants that allow smoking shouldn't have to be exposed to smoke.

"Many of the employees who are exposed to second-hand smoke tend to work in low-paying jobs where they are not offered health care benefits," Ladd said. "I don't know many maids or waitresses who get health insurance.

"They are just darn lucky to have that job," she said. "It's unquantifiable, but logical in my mind."

Sweeney disagrees and said people in Casper have many choices for jobs with all the "Help Wanted" signs around town. He also said his employees are paid well.

"I can tell you it will have an effect on the Parkway Plaza," Sweeney said.

Several legislators on the committee mentioned a poll released in October that said two-thirds of Wyoming residents support a ban. The poll was commissioned by the American Cancer Society and other health care organizations.

"If 70 percent of people want it," said Sen. John Hastert, D-Green River, "why don't I back my constituents up."

The committee meets again today to discuss the topic before it makes any decisions about whether to support legislation or not.

Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.

Breakout:

Newstracker

Last we new: During the 2008 legislative session, a bill to ban smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants, wasn't even introduced.

The latest: The Joint Labor, Health and Human Services Interim Committee heard testimony today about a possible smoking ban, most of which was in favor of a state-wide smoking ban in public places.

What's next: The committee will continue to hear testimony today. It should make a decision whether or not the committee wants to move forward with sponsoring possible legislation.