State Status
No Preemption
News Summary
Smoking ban for restaurants passes first legislative committee
Publication Date: 2005-01-27
- Author:AP
- Publication:AP
Smokers could continue to puff away in bars and private clubs under a modified version of a statewide smoking ban that cleared its first committee hurdle today.
The ban would still prohibit smoking in restaurants. Members of the House Health Policy and Finance Committee passed the amended bill, which has at least two more committee stops before it reaches the House floor for a debate.
The bill defines restaurants as establishments that make at least half their sales from food.
Both supporters and opponents of a statewide smoking ban hailed the committee vote as a victory. Representative Doug Meslow (MEHS'-loh), the bill's sponsor, says the vote allows the discussion to continue.