Lawmaker Calls For Statewide Smoking Ban

Publication Date: 2009-01-13

• Publication:WLKY, KY

Senate President David Williams is calling for a statewide smoking ban and says it would reduce the number of smokers in Kentucky--the country's second largest burley tobacco producer.

Williams said during a live television appearance Monday night that a statewide ban could help cut down on the number of smokers and improve Kentucky's overall health.

Gov. Steve Beshear has proposed hiking Kentucky's 30-cent-per-pack cigarette tax to $1 a pack as a way to ease the state's money woes and boost public health.

Beshear, Williams and House Speaker Greg Stumbo appeared at the state Capitol on Kentucky Educational Television's "Kentucky Tonight." Williams made the proposal during the broadcast.