ASSEMBLY VOTES TO LIFT SMOKING BAN

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--California's first-in-the-nation ban on smoking in
taverns could go the way of Prohibition if a legislative measure to
overturn the new law keeps moving forward.

The bill passed the Assembly with a 42/24 vote Wednesday night, and now
goes to the Senate where its fate is uncertain. The bill requires Senate
approval and the governor's signature to take effect.

The measure would suspend the smoking ban starting next January for two
years or until federal authorities set national ventilation standards to
reduce smoke to safe levels.

A floor vote in the Senate is not expected for weeks. And that will come
only if the bill survives several committees and what promises to be a
bitter political fight between the tobacco, health and tavern lobbies.

Smoking was banned in about 35,000 bars, casinos and clubs on Jan. 1.
Taverns on American Indian reservations, outdoor bar areas and some small
businesses were exempted.

Enforcement of the law is left up to local agencies, with potential fines
for bar owners and customers.

But many Californians have kept right on puffing, despite the ban intended
to improve the health of customers and employees. The bill's sponsor,
Assemblyman Edward Vincent, said it would protect jobs and give people the
freedom to smoke and drink without suffering criminal penalties.

Supporters of the ban said the new bill would let smoking in taverns
continue for years, well beyond the proposed two years, because of
uncertainty over the federal ventilation regulations.

Three years ago, California banned smoking in indoor workplaces, including
the non-bar areas of restaurants. Taverns and casinos were initially exempt
on the assumption that the state or federal government would come up with
ventilation standards.

Copyright Los Angeles Times