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Smoke Bill Losing Punch28 February 2006COLORADO, Denver -- 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..." |