Senate OKs bill to delay groups' smoking ban

The state Senate has given its final approval to a bill that would allow smoking in Utah's fraternal organization buildings for two more years.

HB273, sponsored by Rep. Curtis Oda, R-Clearfield, now goes to Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. for his signature.

The bill received a 23-3 vote in the Senate Monday. It previously passed the Utah House with a vote of 22-4.

Fraternal organizations were required to go smoke-free at the beginning of this year under a law passed by the Legislature last year. Private clubs and taverns are not required to go smokeless until January 2009.

As a result, the fraternal groups say they have lost longtime customers to nearby establishments where smoking is still allowed. HB273 amends last year's law and delays implementation of the smoking ban in fraternal clubs until Jan. 1, 2009.