Latest attempt to change smoking bill is supported by most Iowa lawmakers

Publication Date: 2009-02-10

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

Another attempt to alter Iowa’s smoking ban is underway but this time the majority of state representatives are sponsoring the bill, which some say makes it more likely that it will pass this year.

Smoking would be allowed in outdoor seating and serving areas of bars and restaurants under House File 211. Currently, those areas are almost entirely restricted, largely based upon rules set last year by the Iowa Department of Health.

Rep. McKinley Bailey, D-Webster City, said many lawmakers did not intend for the areas to have smoking prohibitions and that the health department overstepped its authority.

Bailey is leading an effort to revise the smoking ban. Twenty-three Democrats and 28 Republicans have signed onto the bill. The supporters include Speaker Pro Tem Polly Bukta, D-Clinton, and Assistant Minority Leader Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton...

So far this year, at least four other smoking bills have been introduced, some that would add additional smoking restrictions, such as House File 6 that would ban smoking in gambling areas of casinos.