Senate panel backs delay of smoking ban

A bill postponing Utah's smoking ban in meeting places of fraternal organizations received unanimous support from the Senate Business and Labor Committee on Tuesday.

HB273, sponsored by Rep. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield, would allow fraternal groups like the Veterans of Foreign Wars to permit smoking in their posts until 2009 when private clubs would be required to ban it.

Oda said he isn't trying to promote smoking. "No one here is debating the health issues of tobacco," he said.

He said that several groups have lost revenue because smoking was banned in their lodges and posts last year.

The bill already passed the House 58-12. It now goes to the Senate floor.