Smokefree Natrona County, Wyo. Medical Center Plans Referendum Rally

With city councilors expected to pass several controversial revisions to Casper’s public indoor smoking ordinance Tuesday, officials with Smokefree Natrona County and Wyoming Medical Center are planning a referendum rally for later this month.

Pam Evert, the program director of Wyoming Medical Center’s Safe Kids of Central Wyoming, says the rally is planned for June 28 at Conwell Park.

“They can come over and sign the petition to move forward on the referendum to go to special election on Aug. 27,” Evert said.

Casper City Council approved the second reading of the amended ban last month. The revised ban would allow smoking within Casper-based taverns, lounges, bars, private clubs and healthcare facilities.

Evert says Wyoming Medical Center supports the ban passed last year as it’s currently written.

“Wyoming Medical Center’s board of directors, the administrative council and the medical community all supported the ordinance last year,” Evert said. “They wrote a letter to every councilman stating that they were in support of the smoking ordinance to support community health.”

If Casper City Council were to approve the smoking ban revisions on Tuesday, Smokefree Natrona County would have to gather roughly 2,500 signatures in 20 days to force a special election.