Smoking Outlawed in 'Marlboro Country'

Publication Date: 2005-04-08

• Author:AP
• Publication:New York Times

Montana, which has served as Marlboro Country in magazine ads depicting rugged cowboys puffing on cigarettes while riding a fence line, is about to outlaw smoking just about everywhere but the great outdoors.

The state Legislature voted Thursday to ban smoking in all enclosed public places, including bars and restaurants.

The Senate approved the measure 40-10 on Thursday. It passed the House last month.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer said he will sign it. Montana will become one of just 10 states to ban smoking on such a widespread scale. . . .

Beginning Oct. 1, the ban will apply to nearly all enclosed places open to the public, including restaurants, stores, office buildings, schools and public transportation. Montana's 1,700 bars will have until 2009 to comply -- a compromise adopted for the benefit of tavern owners.