Culver promotes local smoking bans
DES MOINES — Gov. Chet Culver said Wednesday he plans to push hard for a bill that would allow local governments to pass bans on public smoking.
The proposal, which stalled earlier this year, will come up again in January when the Legislature reconvenes.
“I’ve been for local control all along, and I certainly think that’s a good place to start,” Culver told reporters.
The so-called local control bill passed the Senate this year, but died when House members insisted the bill include exemptions for casinos and bars.
Some Democrats want to go a step further and pass a statewide ban on smoking in public places. Culver said he is open to discussing a statewide ban, but he hasn’t said whether he supports it.
“I do believe we will have a spirited debate and discussion,” Culver said.
Many Republicans oppose both the local control bill and a statewide ban.
Sen. Jeff Angelo, R-Creston, said it sets a bad precedent when the government bans a legal product. He thinks individual business owners should be able to decide whether to allow smoking.
“Once you set that precedent with smoking, you cannot laugh off that the next thing won’t be trans fats, fast food restaurants, or sugared colas,” Angelo said.
But Republicans won’t have much say on the issue because Democrats control the House and Senate.
The local control bill is in response to a 2003 Iowa Supreme Court ruling that struck down local bans in Ames and Iowa City. Several other cities have indicated they would pass bans if it becomes legal.
Smokers have had a rough time during the first year of the Culver administration. Culver signed a $1-per-pack increase in the cigarette tax in March, which he said would discourage young people from smoking and encourage older smokers to quit.
Dan Gearino can be contacted at
(515) 243-0138 and dan.gearino@lee.net. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.