Gov. Calvo to consider smoking ban in bars, other bills

Publication Date: 2016-01-22

• Author:Shawn Raymundo
• Publication:Pacific Daily News

With the conclusion of the Legislature's January session this week, more than a dozen measures are now awaiting the governor's approval, including a bill that would add bars to the list of places where indoor smoking is banned.

Sen. Dennis Rodriguez Jr., author of Bill 143-33, believes the measure would strengthen the Natasha Protection Act of 2005, which prohibits smoking in certain public areas.

Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz, a co-sponsor of Bill 143, noted that lawmakers in 2005 fought to keep bars as smoke-free areas, but an amendment was introduced calling for its removal. In a divisive 8-7 vote, Cruz recalled, the amendment was passed, exempting bars from the ban...

Cruz had also said the bill is a workers' rights issue, as it aims to protect non-smokers who are employed at bars or other establishments where smoking inside is permitted...