Smoking ban scaled back

Publication Date: 2005-03-16

• Author:PATRICIA GUTHRIE
• Publication:The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Smoking would be allowed in bars and restaurants that don't serve minors under an amendment to the proposed Georgia Smokefree Air Act, approved Tuesday by a House health committee. Stricter local smoking bans wouldn't be effected...

The original bill would have banned smoking in all enclosed public places in the state. In addition to allowing smoking in some bars and restaurants, the new version switches oversight from law enforcement to the Department of Human Resources. Should the statewide smoking ban become law, it wouldn't override existing or future local ordinances that are more restrictive.

The bill, which has been approved by the Senate, goes next to the House Rules Committee...

Restaurants and bars that want to allow smoking would have to deny entrance to customers under 18. Employees also would have to be at least 18.