Bill exempting bars from smoking ban advances

Publication Date: 2012-02-17

• Author:AP
• Publication:KPUA

The Hawaii Bar Owners Association says Hawaii's workforce smoking ban cost businesses $65,000 last year.

As a result, the industry group wants the state Legislature to let owners decide whether to permit smoking in adult-only establishments.

A House committee on Thursday heard a proposal to allow bars and nightclubs with liquor licenses to post "smoking permitted" signs in their establishments. Members approved new draft of the bill that would allow Oahu owners to decide whether to allow their patrons and employees to light up indoors...