On September 18th, 2008, opponents of Iowa's ban on smoking on indoor facilities say that the proposal to give permission to gambling machines in bars only proves that the smoking ban is having a large effect into businesses in the state.
House Minority Leader Christopher Rants commented that it is already acknowledged that they have hurt a lot of people and they realize how much dissatisfaction is out there. House Minority Leader Rants, a member of the Republican Party from Sioux City was reacting to the news that some legislators are studying a proposal that would give the green light for bars to install gambling devices as a way to recoup loss revenues because of the smoking ban on indoor areas.
The smoking ban, which was enforced on July 1st, 2008, prohibits smoking indoors at most work areas, restaurants and bars. But the smoking ban exempts casinos, fairgrounds and veterans organizations. Representative Brian Quirk, a Democrat from New Hampton commented that he and other legislators were considering the gambling proposal. Their plan would include gambling devices like video keno games.
[06-10]
John M. Thorpe
