Iowa smoking ban legislation would not apply to nursing homes

A sweeping statewide smoking ban passed the Iowa Senate Wednesday night, but whether it becomes law depends on House Democrats' ability to drum up the votes for it.  After the 29-21 vote, there was jubilation among Senate Democrats who have been fighting hard to prohibit smoking in all enclosed places of employment, including restaurants, bars and casinos.  During an eight-hour shift, she said, a worker in a smoky casino inhales the equivalent of 16 cigarettes."As our surrounding states pass legislation creating smoke-free environments in all public places and areas of work, we as Iowans cannot neglect the opportunity to protect the health of every citizen in our own state," she told lawmakers.

Nebraska, Minnesota and Illinois already have statewide smoke-free laws. Wisconsin and South Dakota are struggling to reach compromises.  The bill the Senate passed on would ban smoking in state veterans facilities, private veterans organizations, outdoor entertainment venues such as amphitheaters and tennis courts, taxicabs, homes that serve as child care centers, and other places.

Iowans would still be able to smoke in most places outdoors, and inside private homes, some hotel rooms, tobacco stores, semiprivate rooms in long-term-care facilities, some areas of the Iowa State Fair, farm machinery and most limousine services.

Source/more:  http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080228/NEWS10/802280394/1001/NEWS