Iowa City officials seek clarifications on smoking ban

Publication Date: 2008-04-15

• Author:Gregg Hennigan
• Publication:Gazette Online, IA

Just about everyone knows by now that smoking will soon be prohibited in bars, restaurants and many public places in Iowa.

But what about in a public park or in a boat on a river?

People will still be allowed to smoke in parks and private boats, said Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids, one of the primary sponsors of the smoking ban bill expected to be signed into law today by Gov. Chet Culver.

But that message apparently hasn't reached everyone. The City Council here last night discussed whether it wants to restrict smoking even further than what the bill does, perhaps in city parks and on the Pedestrian Mall.

But city attorney Eleanor Dilkes said it wasn't clear whether the state smoking ban already includes parks, or if it even allows cities to enact laws stricter than the state's.