Smoke
Bill Losing Punch
As reported by the Denver Post:
"The state Senate on Monday significantly
weakened a proposed statewide smoking ban, setting
up a showdown between bars and restaurants that
could doom the measure for a second year in
a row.
"Senators,
rejecting the strict ban passed by the House,
tacked on exemptions for bars, casinos, racetracks
and private clubs.
"The
sponsor said the provisions given preliminary
approval by the Senate could ultimately kill
the bill.
"In
the end, he conceded, success or failure will
probably hinge on whether House and Senate negotiators
can reach some kind of compromise exempting
bars and taverns.
"...Last
session, Grossman (Democratic Sen. Dan Grossman,
the bill's sponsor) let a similar bill die when
lawmakers could not agree where to ban smoking.
"...There
was no recorded vote on the bill Monday, but
a procedural vote that moved the measure forward
passed 19-15.
"When
the bill passed the House, it exempted the Denver
International Airport smoking lounge, cigar
bars, smoke shops, small businesses, family
farms and casinos.
"The
casino exemption was stripped in a Senate committee
before being reinserted Monday. The full Senate
also added exemptions for bars, racetracks and
private clubs..." |
