The Legislature's first vote on a statewide smoking ban is scheduled for next week, and apparently there's enough support on the Senate Health Committee to pass the measure.
Doctor Pat Remington of the UW Population Health Institute is urging lawmakers to ignore opposition from the Tavern League. He says this is an example where leadership in the state needs to the interests of the public, not the interests of the industry.
The Tavern League is lobbying for an exemption or for a phase-in period of up to five years. It's not clear whether the Senate committee will pass an all-out ban, or tack on some amendments to appease bar owners.