Statewide smoking ban clears Senate committee

Publication Date: 2005-04-12

• Author:CHARLES ASHBY
• Publication:Pueblo (CO) Chieftain

A proposed statewide smoking ban hurdled a Senate committee on Monday, but faces stiff opposition as the measure advances through the Colorado Legislature.

The measure, SB207, made it past the Senate State Military & Veterans Affairs Committee on a 4-3 party-line vote, with the panel's three Republican members voting against it.

"This is a bill that evokes passion, passion on both sides," said Sen. Dan Grossman, D-Denver, who introduced the bill. "I know it's tough for us to say, 'We're going to punish you by saying you can't go to your favorite bar and smoke.' But this is a matter of public health."