Washington state smoking bans stalled
 |
Story Tools
|
SEATTLE, Washington (Reuters) -- Health officials in Washington's two largest counties Friday vowed to press on with campaigns to ban smoking in public establishments after a judge ruled that only the state had the right to make such laws.
Groups representing restaurants, casinos and bowling alleys, some of whom openly defied a Pierce County smoking ban, applauded Superior Court Judge Ron Culpepper's Thursday ruling, but conceded they face a difficult fight ahead.
"We won a little skirmish, but the war rages on," said Linda Matson, Executive Director of the Entertainment Industry Coalition.
The proposed ban in Pierce County, which includes Tacoma, exempted businesses run by Indian tribes, which could draw customers away from non-tribal casinos, bars and restaurants that now allow smoking.
"That exemption for tribal facilities is huge. It moves a huge part of the customer base when one segment is banned from allowing smoking," Matson told Reuters by telephone.
Health officials in King County, which includes Seattle, were hoping the Pierce County case might provide legal cover to enact a similar ban, building on a 1985 state law which covers offices, buses, schools and most other buildings, but exempts gambling businesses and others that sell alcohol.
Two bills now before the state legislature would open the door for broader bans -- one which would tighten state guidelines and another that would delegate more power to county officials.
"As soon as we get approval, we are going to move forward. I have instructed our staff to prepare for it," said Carolyn Edmonds, who chairs the King County Board of Health.
Designed to protect workers and patrons from second-hand smoke and to discourage smoking in general, the bans follow tighter rules in several other locations, including California and New York City.
Critics say the bans will cost jobs and tax revenues, though many businesses in Washington and elsewhere have already prohibited smoking and several studies show no loss in business.
Copyright 2004
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
