Senate gives preliminary OK to smoking measure

The Senate gave easy preliminary approval Friday to a bill that would allow smoking in Utah's fraternal organization buildings for two more years.

The groups were required to go smoke-free at the beginning of this year under a law passed by the Legislature last year but have maintained they have suffered financially as a result of the law.

HB273, sponsored by Rep. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield, would delay implementation of the ban until Jan. 1, 2009, when private clubs and taverns are required also to go smoke-free.

"I think it is a fairness thing and will allow some parity between the fraternal organizations and private clubs and allow them to go smokeless at the same time," said Sen. Bill Hickman, R-St. George, the bill's Senate sponsor.

HB273 passed with a vote of 22-4. It was opposed by Sen. Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, the sponsor of last year's bill.

"If we pass this, we're putting those that have a job in a smoking environment back in a disadvantaged position where they will have to be working around a proven carcinogen," Waddoups said.

HB273 passed the House with a vote of 58-12. It must receive one more favorable vote in the Senate for final passage.