Smoking bans may take effect statewide

By Jan TenBruggencate
Advertiser Kaua'i Bureau

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — The Big Island and Kaua'i are poised to join Maui and O'ahu in banning smoking in restaurants.

While the legislation differs on each island, the effect would be no smoking allowed in most eating establishments in Hawai'i. In most freestanding bars — those not associated with restaurants — smoking still would be permitted.

On O'ahu, smoking is permitted through June in restaurant bars.

The Big Island bill probably would be the last passed. It is scheduled to be discussed before the Hawai'i County Council next week.

That measure, introduced by Hilo Councilwoman Bobby Jean Leithead-Todd, could be amended to exempt certain businesses in specific circumstances.

The Kaua'i bill, passed by committee yesterday, would continue to allow smoking in outdoor areas of restaurants and in bar areas of restaurants that have separate ventilation systems. But two amendments to be considered next week would virtually ban all restaurant smoking.

One amendment, proposed by Councilman Jimmy Tokioka, would extend the ban to outdoor areas and ban smoking in any bar connected to a restaurant.

Only establishments that could show they make two-thirds of their income from liquor could continue to allow smoking.

Tokioka also hopes to exempt small, family-owned restaurants, but another amendment supported by Councilmen Randal Valenciano and Ron Kouchi would remove that exemption as well. The Kaua'i bill could pass Thursday.