Senate passes ban on bar smoking

Publication Date: 2005-05-20

• Author:DAVID GRAM, AP
• Publication:The Bennington (VT) Banner

The Vermont Senate on Thursday concurred with a House-passed bill banning smoking in bars and private clubs, only changing the effective date from July to September.

Preliminary approval came on a 22-6 roll call vote, and from there the Senate proceeded to final approval on a voice vote...

Gov. James Douglas said later he expected to sign the smoking ban into law. He said it would have been his preference to have the question decided by individual cities and towns, but he acknowledged that the statewide ban has strong support in both houses of the Legislature.