Smoking ban vote on Wednesday

Publication Date: 2008-02-25

• Author:AP
• Publication:The Capital-Journal

Senate committee action on a statewide smoking ban has been pushed to Wednesday, the panel's chairman said today.

The prohibition would enact a prohibition on smoking in public places, though supporters of a smoking ban are critical of the exemptions within the bill.

Bars, casinos, private clubs, tobacco shops and cigar bars would not have to abide by the proposed ban. Under the legislation's opt-in language, all counties would vote in November on whether they want to be included in the state law.

All municipalities with current smoking ban ordinances could maintain their laws if they are as strict or stricter than the state law.