Ruling expands smoking ban.

Publication Date: 2005-04-01

• Author:Joe Baker
• Publication:The Newport Daily News

Newport - For at least the next 10 days, smokers will have to go to either Newport Grand or Lincoln Park if they want to light up inside a public facility.

Superior Court Judge Stephen J. Fortunato ruled Thursday that exemptions for small bars in the state's workplace smoking ban were unconstitutional. The judge issued an order banning smoking in all workplaces, except for state's two gambling facilities, until he holds a hearing on the issue April 11, at which time he may decide whether to make the order permanent