Update: Bars, some restaurants dropped from smoking ban

Publication Date: 2008-03-12

• Author:JASON CLAYWORTH
• Publication:DesMoinesRegister.com, IA

Smoking would be allowed in most Iowa bars and casinos and some restaurants under a revised statewide tobacco ban approved today by the Iowa House.

Those businesses could allow smoking during times when only customers age 21 are older are allowed, under House provisions approved today.

Smoking opponents called the new version of the bill a devastating blow to an earlier proposal that would have prohibited smoking to an estimated 99 percent of Iowa's public places.

Supporters of the wider ban blamed the setback on casino, bar and restaurant owners and their lobbyists, saying lawmakers today voted against the wishes of the majority of Iowans in favor of special interests...

The major provision approved today allows smoking in restaurants, bars, hotels, clubs and casinos that sell alcohol for on-premise drinking during times when only those 21 or older are invited or admitted.

What that means is that a restaurant can serve breakfast to minors as long as there is no smoking. However, the business could also set smoking times in which only adults are allowed into the facility.