Dynamics put smoking ban in odd spot, Gronstal says

Publication Date: 2008-04-05

• Author:JENNIFER JACOBS
• Publication:Des Moines (IA) Register

A top leader in the Iowa Legislature said Friday he can't predict whether a tougher smoking ban will pass this year, simply because of some unusual dynamics between the House and Senate.

But Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a former smoker, hopes a bill does pass.

"It's time to stop smoking," he said during a taping of the public affairs show "Iowa Press." It will air at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on Iowa Public Television.

The issue has reached a tipping point, said Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs.

"I think it's, in fact, past the tipping point," he said. "I think if we don't pass something this year, next year we will come back and pass something much tougher than anything we're considering this year."