Senate committee scales back smoking ban

Publication Date: 2009-05-06

• Author:James Romoser
• Publication:Journal Reporter

A legislative committee today limited the scope of a proposed smoking ban because a broader ban on smoking in all workplaces did not have enough support.

The Senate health committee revised the bill so that it now applies only to restaurants and bars. Other workplaces, such as office buildings, would no longer be covered by the ban.

Democratic leaders prefer a broader smoking ban that would outlaw smoking in virtually all indoor workplaces, but it became clear in recent days that such a broad ban did not have enough votes to pass in the Senate.

So the bill was sent back to the health committee, which approved the revised version today. It will now return to the Senate floor, where it stands a better chance of passing than the earlier, more restrictive version.

"Under this bill, you could continue to smoke where ever you want to, except in bars and restaurants," said Sen. Bill Purcell, D-Scotland.

Senators who had previously been conflicted about the bill indicated today that they are more comfortable with the revised version. Several said they were glad that it would allow people to sit around at an old country store while having a cigarette.