Smoking ban won't become a law just yet

Publication Date: 2007-11-06

• Author:Bill McCarthy
• Publication:Wyoming Tribune-Eagle

But supporters are still hopeful to see a statewide ban adopted as legislation

Though a legislative committee will not bring a statewide smoking ban before the Legislature this February, supporters say they still are hopeful they can see a law adopted this year.

"We're going to find individual sponsors," said Loretta Wolf of the American Cancer Society of Wyoming.

The Joint Labor, Health And Social Services Interim Committee could not muster the votes from its House members to schedule a committee discussion next month of a ban on smoking in restaurants and bars.

But chairman Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper, said the committee likely has the votes to bring the legislation forward during the general session in 2009.

The panel met in Casper on Friday to consider a number of issues. Among those was the possibility of considering a draft of a statewide ban on smoking in public places. That has been recommended by the Wyoming Healthcare Commission for the shorter budget session.