Lawmakers consider amending smoking ban after judge's ruling

Publication Date: 2005-04-01

• Author:AP
• Publication:WPRI 12 TV

Lawmakers are indicating they might take another look at exemptions to the state's new smoking ban -- after a judge yesterday temporarily suspended some of those exemptions.

Newport Superior Court Judge Stephen Fortunato ruled that temporary exemptions for Class C and D establishments with ten or fewer employees were unconstitutional. He let stand exemptions for the state's two gambling facilities.

Leaders in the General Assembly indicated yesterday that they might be willing to reconsider the exemptions.