Statewide smoking ban passes Ky House

Publication Date: 2015-02-13

• Author:Tom Loftus
• Publication:The Courier-Journal

The Kentucky House passed a statewide smoking ban bill on Friday morning for the first time in its history.

House Bill 145, which would ban smoking in workplaces and indoor public places, passed 51-46. But it faces a tough road in the Senate.

The measure passed after it was amended to exempt cigar bars and private clubs.

Another amendment, which House Speaker Greg Stumbo said was important to gaining enough votes for the bill to pass, says that the new state ban would not apply in localities that already have smoking ban laws.

Health advocates celebrated the vote, but expressed concern about the amendment allowing local government smoking restrictions -- some of which less stringent than those in HB 145 -- to stand...