Maneuver Aids Bill to Ban Smoking in D.C. Restaurants

Publication Date: 2005-05-18

• Author:Eric M. Weiss
• Publication:The Washington Post

Anti-smoking advocates say the quickest route to making city bars and restaurants smoke-free leads around D.C. Council member Carol Schwartz (R-At Large), the effort's strongest opponent.

Council member Kathy Patterson (D-Ward 3) introduced a bill yesterday that she said was drafted with a single intention: to avoid getting the issue bottled up in Schwartz's Public Works and the Environment Committee, where past smoke-free bills have gone to die...

Patterson's bill was referred to the Health Committee, which is chaired by David A. Catania (I-At Large), who co-sponsored the bill. The bill would ban smoking in workplaces and public enclosed spaces and carries a fine of up to $1,000. Private homes and tobacco stores are exempt.

Patterson said the bill was drafted to avoid Schwartz's committee.