Smoking ban clears hurdle

Publication Date: 2005-04-06

• Author:Jason Mohr
• Publication:Helena (MT) Independent Record

A proposed statewide smoking ban survived last-gasp changes before passing a key Senate committee vote Tuesday.

The measure is a few steps away from becoming law, after the Senate Judiciary Committee OK'd the bill on a 9-3 vote Tuesday. The bill now moves to a full Senate vote, possibly as early as today. The House cleared the bill March 29.

House Bill 643 would ban smoking in all public places Oct. 1. Bars and casinos could allow smoking for four more years, although kids under 18 wouldn't be allowed in smoking "areas" during that time.