State smoking ban survives first hearing

Publication Date: 2007-02-06

• Author:AP
• Publication:St. Paul Post-Bulletin

Legislation to outlaw smoking in Minnesota bars and restaurants passed its first Senate committee on Monday. Its next challenge will be to survive a vote in a more business-friendly panel.

The Senate Health, Housing and Family Security Committee approved the statewide smoking ban on a divided voice vote after denying amendments that would have allowed smoking in bars with ventilation systems and established a licensing procedure for bar smoking sections.

The bill now heads to the Senate's Business, Industry and Jobs Committee, where bar owners who oppose the proposal hope to find more receptive ears.