EDITORIAL: Another no-smoking state

Publication Date: 2005-03-07

• Author:Editorial
• Publication:Toledo (OH) Blade

Rhode Island last week became the seventh state to outlaw smoking in most public places, yet another indication that the tide of progress continues to run in favor of this important public health milestone. . . .

There are some defects in the Ocean State's ban, however. It exempts two big gambling centers that bring the state big amounts of tax revenue. . . .

A major breakthrough in enacting the Rhode Island law came when the state's hospitality and tourism association dropped its long-standing objection to a ban because of a perceived change in public opinion. "We believe a smoke-free environment is what the marketplace is asking for," a spokesman said. . . .