Jump to full article: Des Moines (IA) Register, 2008-04-15
Author: JENNIFER JACOBS * REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Intro: No one can light up a cigarette or cigar inside an Iowa bar or restaurant starting July 1.
"This has been a long time coming!" said Dan Ramsey of the American Lung Association just before Gov. Chet Culver signed the bill into law this morning.
The legislation bans smoking in most places of employment and spots frequented by the public. Smoking will still be permitted in outdoor areas of bars, outdoor areas of county fairs and the Iowa State Fair, retail tobacco stores, private clubs that have no employees and the gambling floors of casinos.
Democratic lawmakers and leaders congratulated each other and key activists for their steadfastness in fighting for this ban and for turning the tide of public support.
"It was a tough, tough issue. Very difficult," Culver said.
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