Legislature takes up smoking issues

ANTI-SMOKING CRUSADERS BATTLE A NEW ATTEMPT TO WEAKEN THE STATE'S SMOKING BAN. STUART DYS...  More »

ANTI-SMOKING CRUSADERS BATTLE A NEW ATTEMPT TO WEAKEN THE STATE'S SMOKING BAN. STUART DYSON REPORTS FROM THE CAPITOL WHERE A MOVEMENT IS UNDERWAY TO BRING BACK SMOKING IN BARS. ' ANTI-TOBACCO FORCES INVADED THE CAPITOL TODAY IN A SHOW OF STRENGTH AIMING NOT JUST TO DE-RAIL ANY ATTEMPT TO WEAKEN THE 2007 SMOKING BAN - BUT TO SLAP A HEFTY NEW TAX ON EVERY PACK OF SMOKES SOLD IN THE STATE.'THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY AND THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION AND OTHER GROUPS RALLIED IN THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA - VOWING TO FIGHT A SENATE BILL THAT WOULD REMOVE BARS FROM THE PUBLIC INDOOR SMOKING BAN. ' In 2007 it was very clear - let's do that for all bars and restaurants - saying now smoke in a bar - where does it stop - where does it start - the Surgeon General was very clear - ventilation does not work - seperation of smokers from nonsmokers does not work.' SOME BAR OWNERS AROUND THE STATE COMPLAIN THE SMOKING BAN HAS HURT BUSINESS - OTHERS SAY IF BUSINESS IS HURTING IT'S THE ECONOMY - NOT THE LACK OF TOBACCO. MEANWHILE LAWMAKERS EXPECT TO SEE A BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE TAXES ON A PACK OF CIGARETTES BY A DOLLAR - MORE THAN DOUBLING THE CURRENT TAX OF 91 CENTS A PACK - MANY SAY IT WOULD DISCOURAGE KIDS FROM BECOMING SMOKERS. ' We don't want tobacco in our life - especially this young - cos we can get addicted real easily cos we're still growing - and our body can grow used to it and we'll be stuck on it for life.'' THE TAX WOULD HAUL IN ABOUT 30 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR FOR THE STATE - THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY SAYS IT'S UNFAIR TO A SMOKERS - A SMALL MINORITY OF THE POPULATION - A SMALLER TAX INCREASE FAILED BACK IN 2007. AT THE CAPITOL STUART DYSON EYEWITNESS NEWS FOUR.' LAWMAKERS ARE ALSO TURNING THEIR  « Less