Dubuque Residents Frustrated With Smoking Ban Hearing

By Katie Wiedemann, Reporter

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By Katie Wiedemann

Story Created: Aug 20, 2008 at 5:40 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 20, 2008 at 5:40 PM CST

Dubuque - Nearly seven weeks after the state smoking ban took effect, the Iowa Department of Public Health is looking for feedback from the public.

Since July first smoking has been prohibited in all public places including bars, restaurants even some outdoor places.

The first of several ICN video-conference public hearings began today.
As a representative from the Department of Public Health called the meeting to order she made one thing clear.
The health department needed to hear comments about the specific rules of the law, made by the health department.
This was NOT the place to make comments about the fact that Iowa legislatures made the law.

Brett Arensdorf said, "They are not allowing any debate on it or any conversation or answers back."

Ronald Markus said, "I didn't know actually that it was going to be just the rules, I thought you were going to be able to voice your opinion."

Feeling frustrated, many people left immediately. Others looked for answers from police officers in the room who were there to provide security.

The health department is considering making changes to some of the specific rules. They do not have the power to get rid of the smoking ban as a whole. That's up to state law-makers.

Whether they like it or not, people here just wanted to voice their opinion.

Steve LuGrain said, "Our bars are dead anymore. They used to have people in the afternoon for happy hour, now you don't have anybody in the bars at all."

Markus said, "It's just awesome you can sit down and enjoy your food and you don't come out smelling like a smoker."

Most of those opinions fell on deaf ears...unless they were suggestions about how to make a smoking ban more appropriate for everyone in Iowa.

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