Iowa Smoking Ban Lawsuit Dismissed..

May 13, 2009 - A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Iowa's Smokefree Air Act has been dismissed in Polk County District Court. In a statement from the Iowa Attorney General's office, a judge dismissed the lawsuit, which was filed last July by Choose Freedom Iowa; the Iowa Bar Owners Coalition (IBOC); Clinton's Organized Bar & Restaurant Owners (COBRA); Froehlich Properties, Inc., doing business as "Fro's"; and Ron Overson, plaintiffs.

They filed suit against the State of Iowa, the Iowa Deparment of Public Health, and its director, Thomas Newton.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General's Office reports that 44 Smokefree Air Act liquor license enforcement actions are pending at various stages before the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. Two actions have resulted in a liquor license suspension and a revocation ordered. The two bars - Fro's in Wilton and Otis Campbell's Bar in West Burlington filed petitions for judicial review by the courts.

References: Iowa Smoking Ban Lawsuit Dismissed, WQDC-DT, 5/12/2009.

Related news briefs - Iowa: Iowa - fire safe cigarettes - January 1, 2009..; Butts Out: Iowa joins 22 states with a workplace smoking ban..; Iowa - cigarette sales fall by 36% after $1 bump in cigarette tax..; It's Illegal for Women to Smoke in Public..; Des Moines: Iowa's cigarette tax is now $1.36 per pack, following a jubilant bill-signing ceremony Thursday morning (3/15/2007)..