Williams reconsiders position on smoking ban

Publication Date: 2005-06-14

• Author:MICHAEL NEIBAUER
• Publication:Washington Examiner

Mayor Anthony A. Williams is "rethinking his opposition" to a comprehensive workplace smoking ban in Washington, his spokesman said Monday.

In 2003, Williams came out against an all-out ban, citing its potential affect on the District's hospitality and tourism industry and its 28,000 employees.

But the mayor recently has been looking at data coming out of New York City, where smoking was banned in bars and restaurants several years ago, and "it's basically shown businesses haven't suffered the way he thought they would," said Vince Morris, Williams' spokesman...

Schwartz has reintroduced that bill, and will take it up today during a hearing of the public works and environment committee, which she chairs. Two other measures, both total smoking bans, also are on today's agenda.