Lawmakers unveil plan

Publication Date: 2007-01-29

• Author:Mike Glover
• Publication:The Gazette

Smoking would be banned at workplaces throughout Iowa under legislation unveiled Monday.

The proposal, up for initial committee review later this week, would begin the ban July 1.

“This is probably the most popular request I get from people of all ages,” said Rep. Janet Petersen, D-Des Moines, a sponsor of the measure.

The plan comes at a time when legislators already were planning to consider a $1 per pack increase in the cigarette tax backed by Gov. Chet Culver. Previous proposals for workplace smoking bans have fallen short, but Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, said business leaders increasingly favor such restrictions.