Kaua'i assured of smoking ban

Advertiser Staff

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Mayor Maryanne Kusaka said yesterday she will sign a bill unanimously passed by the County Council last month to ban smoking in most restaurants.

"I will sign this bill, albeit with some reservations," Kusaka said in a statement. "There are still some definitions to refine. However, Bill 2048 is still an important first step in our journey to create a smoke-free and healthy environment for our community."

The bill allows smoking only in open-air sections of restaurants where the tables are at least 10 feet from indoor nonsmoking tables, and in restaurant/bars while food is no longer served and the establishment functions purely as a bar.

The bill provides for a review a year after its Jan. 1 effective date.

Maui and Honolulu's councils have approved a restaurant smoking ban. The Big Island council is deliberating on a similar measure.