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Governor battles irate callers over statewide smoking ban Thursday, Jun 8, 2006 By Aaron Sadler Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - Arkansans angry with Gov. Mike Huckabee for supporting a workplace smoking ban lashed out at the governor on his radio call-in program Wednesday. Huckabee fended off charges that his push for the impending smoking ban was "stupid" and "dishonest," and that he had not upheld the duties of his office. The governor was a staunch supporter of the Clean Indoor Air Act approved by the Legislature during an April special session. The law takes effect July 21, prohibiting smoking in nearly all workplaces. One caller Wednesday said Huckabee was the Arkansas taxpayers "puppet" and should have listened to more of the state's voters before signing the law. Huckabee responded that the law is designed to protect the rights of other citizens. He cited a study that showed inhalation of second-hand smoke poses more of a health risk than if someone lights up a cigarette themselves. Two callers applauded the new law as Huckabee talked up the act as a way to cut skyrocketing health care costs in the state. "Why is it that a person has a right to infringe on somebody else's airspace?" Huckabee asked during the hour-long show broadcast monthly on the Arkansas Radio Network. "That's what the issue is. Do you have a right to smoke? Yes. Do you have a right to blow it on me? No." The act gained broad support in the Legislature. Huckabee lobbied hard for the measure before adding it to the agenda of a week-long special session on education. Some callers Wednesday said it seemed to them that the urgency of adopting a smoking ban was inappropriate. "You basically went behind the public's back and forced that through and said you were going to shame any legislators and whatever who didn't vote for it," said a caller identified as P.J. from Little Rock. "Well, let me tell you something Mr. Governor, you violated your office." The caller said Arkansas voters should have decided on the smoking ban. Huckabee cited a survey by Little Rock-based Opinion Research Associates that showed 65 percent of the state's registered voters supported the smoke-free workplace measure. "There was a clear, very thorough airing of this issue over a several-month period, and it's incorrect to say the people didn't have an opportunity to speak," the governor said. " ... But the overwhelming majority of Arkansans don't want to have someone else impose their habit upon them, whether it's spitting or whether it's vomiting or whether it's smoking." Huckabee responded to one question by saying that he would support a ban on all cigarette sales in the state. Health care cost savings would more than make up for the loss of tax revenue, he said. Arkansas collected $129.7 million in cigarette taxes in 2005. The new anti-smoking law applies to all businesses, including restaurants. Establishments that do not allow patrons or employees younger than 21, and businesses with fewer than three employees, may be exempt from the law. Two legislative committees on Tuesday endorsed Division of Health regulations for smoking ban enforcement. The new regulations provide for a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for violators, though health officials said they will issue warnings before issuing fines. Asked by a caller Wednesday if the state would hire a "puff patrol" to enforce the ban, Huckabee said the state would not add employees. Also Wednesday, Huckabee reiterated his call to refund to taxpayers a portion of a projected $332 million budget surplus. He said last month he would support putting some of the money into a "rainy day" fund and distributing the rest to taxpayers as a rebate. A group of economic advisors will report to Huckabee by the end of the month about the best way to refund the money. "I hope we can get some traction for that," Huckabee told a caller. "I would urge you to contact your own local legislator and tell them you'd like to see your money returned to you." |
