Bid to Lift Smoking Ban Comes Before Key Opponent

Legislation to lift California’s ban on smoking in bars and casinos comes under the critical eye of a powerful state Senate committee today.

Sen. Diane Watson, chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Committee, announced that she will hold a nonvoting session of the panel to review the bill that would allow card players and bar patrons to light up again.

She opposes the legislation in its current form and has warned the bill’s supporters that the measure could get shelved indefinitely, preventing its enactment into law--although she said today’s hearing will be fair.

Beginning Jan. 1, state law banned smoking in bars and casinos--practically the last public places in California where smoking indoors had been legal. The bill (AB 297) by Assemblyman Edward Vincent (D-Inglewood) would allow smoking to resume next Jan. 1.

The bill passed the Assembly in late January but--repeating recent history for similar measures--doom is predicted in the Senate.

Even if it passes Watson’s panel, the bill faces another hurdle before the Senate Judiciary Committee. It must pass both committees to be heard on the Senate floor.

Vincent, anticipating a hostile reception from Watson’s committee, has vowed not to appear at today’s hearing. The panel cannot vote if the author does not offer his bill.

Watson said Vincent should consider changes such as narrowing the bill’s scope so that perhaps, for example, the ban could be lifted in bars where employees and patrons all agree to forgo their right to a smoke-free environment.

“Maybe that’s something that could be debated,” she said.

Among her objections to the bill is its provision allowing smoking in bars and casinos that meet health standards--so far unspecified--for ventilation.

“As of now,” said Watson, echoing claims of anti-tobacco advocacy groups, “we don’t know of any technology that will 100% clear the air of the carcinogens.”

Vincent said such technology does exist.

“Let’s be fair,” he said. “If you can set a standard, let’s do it. If you can’t do it, then the ballgame’s over” and the current ban would stand indefinitely.