Senate gives preliminary OK to smoking measure

Publication Date: 2007-02-24

• Author:Deseret News
• Publication:http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,660198309,00.html

The Senate gave easy preliminary approval Friday to a bill that would allow smoking in Utah's fraternal organization buildings for two more years.

The groups were required to go smoke-free at the beginning of this year under a law passed by the Legislature last year but have maintained they have suffered financially as a result of the law.

HB273, sponsored by Rep. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield, would delay implementation of the ban until Jan. 1, 2009, when private clubs and taverns are required also to go smoke-free.