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SIOUX CITY, IOWA (AP) -- A city proposal that would have banned smoking at the Argosy Gaming Co. casino in Sioux City will be dropped after the casino has agreed to monitor the air and set aside nonsmoking areas.
Councilman Brent Hoffman says he will table his proposed ordinance even though some business owners would likely not be
pleased. Hoffman complimented Argosy officials for their efforts to set aside nonsmoking areas and monitor air quality.
Mayor Mike Hobart and two city councilmen say they planned to oppose the ordinance. Hobart says he has concerns that it would not have held up to a court challenge since the new state smoking ban exempts casinos.
The Legislature passed a new law that goes into effect July 1 that prohibits smoking in bars and most workplaces. It does not
include casinos, however.
In a letter to the city, Argosy casino General Manager Kees Eder says he will continue to monitor the air and make data on available to the city, will set aside nonsmoking areas and will enhance the current air filtering system.
(Copyright ©2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
