Smoking ban

KnoxNews.com
May 2, 2007

While legislation imposing a statewide ban on smoking in workplaces has yet to face a committee vote, a bill that lets local governments impose smoking restrictions has moved further down the legislative track.

The bill in question -- SB186 -- would repeal a so-called "state pre-emption" law passed several years ago that declares no city or county government can impose more stringent restrictions on smoking that the general law statewide.

"Local communities ought to have an opportunity to regulate their own communities," said Sen. Paul Stanley, R-Germantown, the Senate sponsor.

The measure was approved 5-2 by the Senate State and Local Government Committee on Tuesday.

Stanley said he intends hold off on seeking a floor vote on the bill, however, to see whether the statewide smoking restrictions bill advances. If it does, the senator said he may drop his push for passage of the pre-emption repeal.

More details as they develop online and in Thursday's News Sentinel.