Bill would allow drinkers to light up

Publication Date: 2011-02-07

• Author:Curtis Lum
• Publication:Pacific Business News

There's a move afoot at the state Legislature to allow smoking in most drinking establishments.

SB708 would create a "smoking establishment permit" that would allow patrons of bars, cabarets and private clubs to legally smoke. There are bar owners who ignore the state's smoking ban and risk fines and penalties, but this bill would give them the right to let their customers puff away -- for a price.

The cost of a permit runs from $1,000 to $3,000 and money generated would go into the state's general fund. The bill would continue to ban smoking in restaurants with bars...

Anyone who wants to offer an opinion on the bill will have an opportunity at a hearing before the Senate committees on Health and Public Safety, Government Operations and Military Affairs at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday in Room 224 of the State Capitol.