From the Fort Dodge Messenger

Prompted by questions from the county engineer and county auditor, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors took another look at the county's smoking ban on Monday.

Humboldt County Engineer Paul Jacobson said he and Humboldt County Auditor Peggy Rice both had questions about the county's policy. The policy is based upon the Smokefree Air Act enacted by the Iowa Legislature on July 1. The act "prohibits smoking on the grounds of any public buildings owned, leased or operated by or under the control of the state or its political subdivisions: a city, county township or school district," according to information from the Iowa Department of Public Health. (Full Story)

From the Fort Dodge Messenger

Lawmakers hint they may "tinker" with the ban on smoking in Iowa (Full Story)

From the Des Moines Register 8/3/08

Judge Douglas Staskal, however, ruled that the bar owners' claims of loss did not warrant putting the law on hold. (READ FULL)

From the Des Moines Register 8/2/08

A Polk County judge could decide as early as next week whether to block state health officials from future enforcement of a month-old anti-smoking law.

A statewide coalition of bar owners contends in a Polk County lawsuit that the Iowa Smokefree Air Act is unconstitutional because it infringes on the rights of bar owners and turns them into an enforcement arm of the state. (READ FULL)

Independent Congressional candidate William Meyers, who lost his district’s Democratic primary last month, has launched a new Web site he hopes will become the focal point for the movement to repeal the recently enacted statewide smoking ban. The site attacks most Democrats in both chambers of the state legislature. (READ FULL)

From the Fort Dodge Messenger

Smoking is now prohibited in city parks in Humboldt. The Humboldt City Council approved the ban at Monday's council meeting.

Iowa's new Smokefree Air Act prohibits smoking in public buildings and their surroundings but certain outdoor areas are left to the discretion of property owners. Some of those areas are public parks. (READ FULL)

From Associated Content 7/14/08

The same ownership team posted a letter outside their door apologizing for not allowing their patrons to smoke, but blaming it on our "communist Governor and his Democratic butt buddies in the legislature." (READ FULL)

From the Des Moines Register 6/22/08

Angry Iowa smokers have plans to turn puffs into protest before a new state law on July 1 banishes the habit from public places.

At least one Iowa nightclub owner will raise the Soviet flag while playing the former communist country's national anthem for his customers June 30.

A restaurant owner will host a "legislative lunch" that features free bologna sandwiches.

Gov. Chet Culver might even get a special, albeit smelly, package in the mail when a group of bar owners box up their ashtrays and ship them to Terrace Hill. (READ FULL)

From the Iowa Independent 7/6/08

With Court Challenge To Smoking Ban, Wilton Bar Owner Sees Self As ‘Freedom Fighter’ (READ FULL)

From The Iowa Department of Public Health

The Smokefree Air Act was signed into law by Governor Chet Culver on April 15, 2008. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2008. Smoking will be regulated in public places, places of employment, and certain outdoor areas. The Smokefree Air Act outlines areas where smoking is prohibited, areas where smoking is not regulated, enforcement details, and scheduled penalties for persons and businesses that violate the law. (READ FULL)

From the Clinton Herald 6/21/08

Those fighting to overturn the smoking ban in Iowa are looking to band together with groups from other states and take the fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. (READ FULL)