EDITORIAL: Ruling should clear up conflicts on smoking ban

Publication Date: 2007-08-20

• Author:The Denver Post Editorial Board
• Publication:Denver (CO) Post

It's no secret that some business establishments -- mostly bars and restaurants -- are continuing to defy Colorado's new smoking ban.

That's why we were glad to see state District Judge Chris Melonakis' ruling last week on the subject, which paved the way for an appeal to the Colorado Supreme Court, where we might finally get clarification on the constitutionality of the new law...

The overwhelming majority of Coloradans have said in public opinion surveys that they wanted a smoking ban in public places. The legislature passed the law, in part, to avoid the patchwork of prohibitions that were cropping up in different jurisdictions around the state, creating an unfair playing field for some businesses.

It's time for this smoking debate to be put to rest. We look forward to a quick legal resolution.