State Status
No Preemption
News Summary
Senate passes cigarette smoking ban
Publication Date: 2007-03-15
- Author:Dan Gearino
- Publication:Quad City Times
The Iowa Senate voted Wednesday to give cities and counties the power to pass local smoking bans, a bill that backers say is true to the state’s tradition of local control.
“This is a matter of whether we trust our local officials to do what is right,� said the lead sponsor, Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames.
The 30-20 vote followed nearly two hours of debate, with all Democrats in favor and all Republicans against. Senators amended the bill to shield fraternal groups — such as the American Legion and VFW — from local smoking bans, while rejecting amendments that would have shielded casinos and bars.
The bill is in response to a 2003 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that said local governments don’t have the power to pass smoking restrictions. The ruling invalidated local bans in Iowa City and Ames. Quirmbach was on the Ames City Council when it passed its ban.