Smoking banned in Wasilla-owned vehicles

WASILLA — By a 4-1 vote, city council snuffed some butts this week by banning the use of tobacco products in city-owned vehicles.

The initiative, sponsored by councilman Steve Menard, was the second attempt to ban smoking in city cars, a practice Menard called “ridiculous.”

Menard argued smoking should not be allowed in city cars and trucks because they are not the personal property of those using them. Beyond health and appearance concerns, Menard said the stench of cigarette smoke can devalue a car the city is trying to sell or trade in.

Previously, rules in Wasilla allowed employees with sole use of a city vehicle to smoke in those vehicles. Smoking was only prohibited in vehicles that were shared.

Even with the new rule, Menard said there really won’t be disciplinary repercussions for those found to be smoking in their cars. Like at Wasilla City Hall, someone caught smoking a cigarette in their city vehicle would be asked to do it elsewhere.

Menard’s no-smoking initiative gained support from a pair of community members who testified in favor of the ban before Monday’s vote.

Diane Firmani, a librarian at Tanaina Elementary School who works for the city part-time during the summer, said if council chose not to ban smoking in city vehicles it would make a liar of the city’s Web site.

Firmani was referring to a sentence on the city jobs page of Wasilla’s site that says the city is a drug-free workplace. Nicotine is a drug, and allowing it to be used in city-owned vehicles was, essentially, allowing drug use in the workplace, she said.

Monday’s vote also brought to light concerns that banning smoking in city vehicles could be detrimental to union negotiations that are ongoing with some city employees.

Deputy Mayor Kristofer Larson, who voted against the anti-smoking measure, said while he agrees with the smoking ban in principle, he thinks the timing is wrong.

“This has huge potential to expose the city to very expensive liability,” Larson said.

Councilwoman Dianne Woodruff echoed Larson’s concern, saying banning smoking could be seen as a change in terms of employment, which she said could be bad during union negotiations.

In response, Councilwoman Stephanie Massie said where employees are allowed to smoke isn’t likely to be a large focus for union negotiations. Shortly after Massie’s remark the resolution passed.

Contact Michael Rovito at michael.rovito@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.