D.C. Council Passes Smoke Ban

Despite a veto threat by Mayor Anthony A. Williams, the DC Council approved yesterday a broad ban on smoking in District bars and restaurants. The District ban which is modeled on similar restrictions in New York City, would first apply to all restaurant dining rooms then extend to bars, nightclubs and taverns in January 2007. Outdoor areas, hotel rooms, retail tobacco outlets and cigar and hookah bars would be exempted from this law. The legislation would also provide an economic-hardship waiver for businesses that could demonstrate a "significant negative impact". ( Via The Express, A Washington Post Daily publication)