Cigar Weekly

DES MOINES - A district judge ruled today that a coalition of bar owners failed to provide a convincing claim that a new law banning smoking in most public places should be stopped from being enforced.

Polk County District Judge Douglas Staskal refused to issue a temporary injunction to halt the implementation of Iowa's "smoke-free air act," which has been in place since July 1.

Disgruntled bar owners argued the new state law is "bizarre," burdensome and unconstitutional in its application and enforcement.

However, the district judge ruled the bar owners failed to show the smoking ban is causing irreparable harm to Iowa businesses, and that the overarching goal of improving health for the general public and employees in establishments where smoking had been permitted outweigh other concerns.

The attorney who represented the bar owners nor members of the Iowa Bar Owners' Coalition could not be reached for comment on today's ruling denying the request for a temporary restraining order to block the smoking ban.