Smoking ban huffs, puffs by House 41-24

Publication Date: 2006-02-14

• Author:Lynn Bartels
• Publication:Rocky Mountain News (Denver, CO)

Bill to halt lighting up in most workplaces faces fight in Senate

A bill that would ban smoking in most workplaces breezed through the House on Monday and now heads to the Senate, where a battle is expected.

Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany said he can't support the measure unless mom-and-pop bars are exempted.

"There's no use in putting people out of business in our zeal to be healthy," the Colorado Springs Republican said Monday.

If the Senate eventually passes House Bill 1175, it is expected to be by a narrower margin than the House, which on Monday voted 41-24 in favor of the measure.

HB 1175 by Rep. Mike May, R-Parker, bans smoking in most workplaces statewide. It allows for only a few exceptions, including casinos, tobacco stores and up to one-fourth of a hotel's rooms.