Senate committee approves local bans on smoking

Publication Date: 2007-02-20

• Author:KCRG-TV9 Cedar Rapids
• Publication:KCRG-TV9 Cedar Rapids

A bill allowing local bans on public smoking is moving ahead at the Statehouse.

A Senate committee approved the bill on Monday, sending it to the full Senate for debate.

Ames and Iowa City passed local smoking bans a few years ago, but the Iowa Supreme Court overturned the laws in 2003 ruling they were illegal under state law.

The bill approved Monday would remove legal roadblocks for cities and counties that want to get more strict about smoking.

Lawmakers are also considering a statewide ban on smoking in workplaces and most public places, including bars and restaurants.