WKBT La Crosse, WI-NewsChannel 8-Another State Goes Smoke Free

Another State Goes Smoke Free

Another state gets a statewide smoking ban.  Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed the Smoke Free Air Act into law Tuesday.  This makes Iowa the 28th state in the nation to pass some form of ban on indoor smoking, including neighboring Minnesota, Illinois, and South Dakota.

The new law will ban smoking in public places, including restaurants, bars and workplaces.  "My goal is to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation, which is why I am proud to sign the Smoke Free Air Act," says Governor Culver.  "This is a bill which reflects commitment and compromise; passion and practicality.  Today, we are locking arms, putting partisan politics aside and joining together with one common purpose: to build a healthier Iowa."

The bill has exemptions including gambling areas of casinos, and the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. Bars and restaurants in casinos are covered by the ban.

The new law starts July first.  This is just one way Iowa has worked to cut smoking in the state.  Last year, the state increased the tobacco tax $1 per pack.  Since then, calls to the Iowa Quitline have increased 500%.

Wisconsin is still waiting to pass its own smoking ban.  Governor Jim Doyle has been pushing for the law for months,  but it's been met with opposition from the state's tavern league.  The group did not want the ban to start in bars at the same time as the restaurants.  Lawmakers have not reached an agreement.

In the meantime, Wisconsin has taken other steps to get people to quit smoking.  The state increased its cigarette tax this year.  Smokers now pay $1.77 in state taxes for every pack of cigarettes they buy.