Iowa Bar Owners Group Drops its lawsuit over tobacco ban
A coalition of bar owners in Iowa has decided to drop its lawsuit over the state’s tobacco ban, but a spokesman says the fight is not over.
After the decision of bar owners, a Polk County judge last week dismissed the lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of the tobacco ban. It was filed by several groups of bar owners on July 1, 2008, the same day the Iowa Smokefree Air Act went into effect.
The lawsuit claims the smoking ban, which prohibits smoking cigarettes in nearly all public places including bars and restaurants, is unconstitutional for several reasons.
Brian Froehlich, of Wilton, is with the Iowa Bar Owners Coalition. He says the groups are redirecting their efforts and will support the bars that are going to court to protect their businesses.
