On This Day in History: Controversial Smoker Sparks Debate on Public Smoking Ban within State Health Board

From 1975: Roger James, a member of the Washington State Board of Health from Spokane, stirred up quite a storm. He expressed his frustration about being unable to smoke cigars on airplanes. In a bold remark, he stated that he wanted to blow cigar smoke in the faces of cigarette smokers.

This comment came during a heated debate on whether to ban smoking in public places. One board member from Seattle was so disturbed that he wrote a letter to the governor, asking for James’s removal from the board.

In defense, James argued that nonsmokers shouldn’t be the only ones making decisions about smoking regulations. His stance highlighted the complex emotions around smoking during that time.

For 1925: Plans for a “combined auditorium and stadium” in downtown Spokane were ultimately dropped. The site was to be located between Riverside and Main avenues, near what is now the Riverfalls Tower Apartments.

Local business leaders decided the proposed location was too expensive for building an auditorium, and they felt the timing wasn’t right for such a project. Instead, they considered other options, including moving the project to a new site next to Glover Field to expand the existing stadium.

Also on this day

(From onthisday.com)

1792: The U.S. Postal Service was established, with postage rates ranging from 6 to 12 cents depending on distance.

1962: John Glenn made history as the first American to orbit the Earth.