Thank You For Not Smoking

Governor Chet Culver helped clear the air in Iowa by getting it out of bars and restaurants, even though the same can't be said for casinos and the Iowa Veterans Home.

In a move that is likely to have positive effects for future Iowans, the smoking ban which will be in effect on July 1st will even the playing field for bars and restaurant owners who fought against it's approval.

By making the ban statewide, most bar and restaurant owners should find it easier to attract qualified people to staff their establishments and will find no negative effect to their businesses since all establishments will have to play by the same rules.

Clearly there will be issues concerning businesses that are in towns with casinos or are across state lines where smoking bans are not present. However, since 18% of adult Iowans smoke, this leaves over a great number of people with which to do business.

Smoking Ban Going To Conference For Compromise

Yesterday, the Iowa House rejected the Senate's version of the smoking ban bill and offered a version that lifted the ban from bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. Today the Senate stuck by their bill by rejecting the House's weakened version.

The Des Moines Register continues:

“Folks, this amendment goes against the intent of the bill as it does nothing to protect the health of those who patronize or have to work in these establishments,” said Sen. Staci Appel, an Ackworth Democrat. “Secondhand smoke knows no age limits. It doesn’t discriminate at all by age. Age really has nothing to do with it.”

The Senate’s 27 to 23 decision to reject the House’s version means that leaders from both the House and the Senate will likely form a special committee in an attempt to reach compromise. The decision to create the committee will be made next week.

Once a compromise through the committee is reached, the full Senate and House can only give a thumb up or a thumb down to the proposal, which means that the month-long amendment process and shuffling of the proposal between the House and the Senate is done.

Senate Bill Public Smoking Ban Bill More Comprehensive

The Iowa Senate, by a vote of 29-21, narrowly passed a bill which would include the banning of smoking in casinos and Veteran Social Halls in addition to other public places. The bill will be returned to the House where either the Senate version will be accepted or a joint conference committee will hammer out an agreement. The bill would then have to be signed into law by Gov. Chet Culver.

Both Sens. Joe Bolkcom and Bob Dvorsky both strongly support comprehensive antismoking legislation.

"Tobacco-related illnesses are the leading cause of death and misery in Iowa," Bolkcom said. "As public-health measures go, after raising the tobacco tax, this is the next big thing we can do."

Currently, both the House and Senate's bans both exempt retail tobacco stores. The bills define such businesses as retail stores utilized primarily for the sale of tobacco products and accessories and in which the sale of other products are incidental to the sale of tobacco products.

Smoke That Cigarette (Not)

The Press-Citizen weighs in favoring the proposed smoking ban.

I think the smoking ban will be an economic boon for restaurants and bars that have entertainment, because I think folks who stay home on account of smoke will likely give them another try. Also, since the local control issue was defeated by the Iowa Supreme Court, it is the only way to level the playing field. However, I question exemptions for casinos, Veteran Service Clubs, and "some farms". For a smoking ban to be fair, it should be across the board and protect the health of all workers.

Alternatively, the state could create a separate license for "smoking" clubs that would provide a living wage and health coverage for all its workers.

For those who oppose this kind of law because of their perception that government is solely around to provide national defense, guess what? Healthy, productive workers are the best defense.



Smoke That Cigarette: Ray Benson and Asleep At the Wheel

Iowa Senate to Take Up Smoking Ban

In what will be a great improvement to those of us who refuse to go to places where smoking clogs our lungs, and a boon for those restaurants and bars that have been hesitant to voluntarily impose one, the Iowa Senate will take up the public smoking ban. I wrote to Senator Joe Bolkcom about the exemptions to the ban to get his take on its chances--and the possibility that the senate would push for a tougher bill.

Gark: I find it curious that casinos, VFW's and some farms are exempt from the smoking ban. I know that Illinois has a smoking ban on its casinos (which I understand has led to the construction of outdoor smoking lounges).

Wouldn't it be easier to pass a universal workplace smoking ban? I imagine the restaurant and bar lobby is not happy and is likely to be less happy if casinos are exempt.

Senator Bolkcom: "I wish we could stop the exemptions. This will be hard. If casinos and VFW's get the exemption and we can pass a statewide ban, the anti-tobacco advocates will be able to focus their attention there next."

"This legislative process is an interesting one. You try to get as much as you can and make the best deal possible."

"I can't believe that we are even talking about a statewide ban. If we get this done it will be one of the most important actions this session."

"We have work to do in the Senate this week to get this done."

Gark: Thanks for doing what you can. I understand that it is difficult to do this, but more interesting is why just these exemptions? Particularly for the gaming industry, an industry that will likely continue to grow and employ many low-income wage earners, it would seem like a question of workplace safety and social justice to stand up for this group of workers.

Senator Bolkcom: "The casino exemption is a big problem. They have the votes to get the exemption at least for now. The logic makes no sense."

Smoking Ban Wafts Through the House

By a vote of 56 to 44, the Iowa passed a smoking ban that pertains to all public places except casinos, VFW halls and some farms. "Second hand smoke kills 440 non-smokers in Iowa every year and another 4,000 Iowans die each year from smoking-related illnesses," said State Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids.

Apparently the goal now is to just kill off non-smoking Veterans, hogs, and gamblers with this bill.