Broad Anti-Smoking Measure Headed for Senate Showdown
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SACRAMENTO — Legislation to ban smoking statewide in virtually all indoor workplaces, including restaurants, cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on Monday and is headed for a showdown on the Senate floor.
The bill by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood) had stalled last month when senators on another committee imposed amendments that could have allowed smoking in restaurants, and barred cities from passing tougher smoking bans.
Among those who had pushed for the amendments over Friedman’s objections was Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles). He was criticized by health groups and others. On Monday, Torres, a candidate for Insurance Commissioner, reversed himself and championed removal of the amendments.
The bill was approved on an 8-3 vote. If the measure clears the Senate, it must return to the Assembly for approval by the lower house.
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