Sioux City Journal

Senate approves smoking ban without exemptions

8:11 PM

By Whitney Woodward Journal Des Moines Bureau | Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008

DES MOINES n The Iowa Senate approved a broad statewide smoking ban this evening, withstanding several attempts to riddle the legislation with loopholes for bars, casinos and some veteran’s facilities.

Members voted 29-21 to implement the ban, which advocates said will protect nearly every Iowa worker from second-hand smoke.

“This bill is not a divisive tool for discriminating against those who have chosen to smoke, but an avenue to a healthier Iowa,” said Sen. Staci Appel, D-Ackworth, the bill’s sponsor.

Appel said data shows food service employees have a 50 percent greater chance of dying from lung cancer than other workers.

The proposal would forbid smoking in most public buildings, restaurants and bars, but would not restrict smoking in Iowans’ private homes or vehicles.

The bill now heads back to the House, where representatives will consider the Senate’s changes.

Last week, House members narrowly approved a proposal, 56-44, which would establish a statewide ban which included exemptions for casinos and closed-door veteran’s hall events.

A Senate committee Monday stripped those exemptions, while adding a provision to permit smoking in single-person farm vehicle cabins.

Read more of this story Thursday in the Journal and at siouxcityjournal.com

Story Comments

CRD wrote on Feb 27, 2008 11:20 PM:

" I love going out to eat and eat some losers smoke. Then go to work and do the same. This wont happen much longer. Bring on big brother. He dont scare me. "

ryno84 wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:33 PM:

" Hopefully this will again be debated in the house with more then the casinos being exempted. The small business owner does not have a fair playing field. We have the right to make decisions for our business as long as the product is legal and we are tax paying, contributing members of the community. What will they ban next? "

Dick wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:20 PM:

" I will never vote for another Democrat as long as I live. They draw a close parallel to communists as has been demonstrated by our current state government. "

jpb wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:17 PM:

" What other freedom is Iowa going to take away next? I smoke and that is fine that non-smokers don't want second hand smoke, I don't want to die from air pollution so why don't we ban all veichles and major businesses too. Whatever happened to choice and can anyone tell me where in the constitution state or federal where it says that smoking is illegal. "

Jafo wrote on Feb 27, 2008 10:08 PM:

" Hey! Where's the proof that the reason the restaurant workers are more succeptabe to cancer due to 2nd hand smoke? PROVE IT! That's bogus and only a "smokescreen" intended for the Iowa legislature to grab control of businesses at every level. Here comes Big Brother! "