Sioux City Journal

Anti-smoking advocates say ban more likely

Posted: Tuesday, November 28, 2006

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Higher taxes on cigarettes and all-out smoking bans could become reality under Democratic control of the Statehouse, anti-tobacco advocates say.

They claim that for several years Republican leaders have stunted efforts to pass smoking regulation.

State Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, advised anti-tobacco advocates on strategy during a recent meeting of the state Tobacco Use and Prevention Commission. Quirmbach, who opposes smoking, reminded leaders that bar and restaurant owners and cigarette smokers must also vote.

The Iowa Restaurant Association would oppose any smoking bans, members said.

"We'd like the government not to tell us how to run our business," said Suzanne Summy, a Johnston restaurant owner.

Gov.-elect Chet Culver has said he backs higher cigarette taxes and local control of smoking bans, because they would help cut smoking and protect nonsmokers.

Anti-smoking proponents are split about whether a public smoking ban should be decided at the state or local level for cities and counties to decide.

Threase Harms-Hassoun, an anti-tobacco lobbyist, favors local decision-making, because she says it is harder for corporations to block.

"I guarantee you, right out of the chute, you would have 10 or 12 communities ready to go," Harms-Hassoun said of local plans.

Smoking opponents say at least 15 states have imposed smoking bans, and 33 of them allow cities to impose local bans.

Story Comments

oh yeah... wrote on Nov 30, 2006 3:01 AM:

" Just what we need, bring on the health zealotry! I'm a non-smoker, and already, tons of establishments, restaurants, and certain bars more and more around the nation have moved to ban smoking on their own accord. I'm really sick of government always getting involved in such an overblown issue. Why can't the government just leave establishments alone, and just allow them to best judge how to handle smoking policy on their own? If you non-smokers are intelligent enough and boycott establishments allowing smoking(though I doubt many are), more establishments will feel market pressure to ban smoking on their own. Simple as that. Also, let restaurant and bar owners know how much you would like them to go smoke-free, if you want it so badly. Too bad that its probably safe to assume most non-smokers don't have the balls to attempt to stop patronizing such establishments and/or attempt to persuade owners of establishments to change their smoking policies, though. "

Chris wrote on Nov 28, 2006 8:30 AM:

" I hope the legislature and Gov. Culver enact bans on smoking in restaurants. I rarely eat out because I get migraines if I am near cigarette smoke. Let's put the majority of non-smokers first for once, despite the money and power of big tobacco companies. "