Bars catch a break on proposed smoke ban

Publication Date: 2005-03-17

• Author:RICK LAVENDER
• Publication:Gainesville (GA) Times

Allowing smoking in bars and some restaurants is a compromise that boosts prospects for a proposed statewide smoking ban without grinding out the intent, said a Hall County legislator championing the Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005.

A press conference is planned in Atlanta this morning to discuss Senate Bill 90, said Rep. Stacey Reece, R-Gainesville.

The measure as passed by the Senate covered almost all buildings open to the public. The version that cleared the House Health & Human Resources Committee 10-5 on Tuesday exempts indoor smoking in bars and restaurants closed to under-18 patrons