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(DES MOINES, Iowa) -   Attorney General Tom Miller has filed eight new liquor license revocation complaints against Iowa bars for violating Iowa’s Smokefree Air Act.  The new complaints bring to 38 the number of liquor license enforcement actions brought by the Attorney General’s Office since the law took effect.

 The eight liquor license actions filed since March 23 include four against bars in Burlington -- the Beer Tent, the Crazy Coyote, the Paddlewheel Lounge, and Summer Street Station.  Other bars charged last week include Larry Bob’s Oasis in Davenport, My Sister’s Place in Carlisle, Packers Inn in Waterloo, and Pit Row Sports Bar & Grill in Eddyville.

“Liquor license holders are obligated to obey all Iowa laws as a condition of their privilege to hold a license,” Miller said.  “We are determined to enforce this new law -- because it is the law, and because it saves lives.  The huge majority of Iowa businesses are obeying the law, and we will not allow a small, vocal minority to flout the law,” he said.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the Iowa Smokefree Air Act is working, and it is saving Iowans’ lives,” Miller said.  “The adult smoking rate in the state has dropped from 19% to 14% over the last two years -- in part because the Iowa Smokefree Air Act has encouraged people to quit.  Lives of smokers and non-smokers alike are being saved.  Iowans are healthier because of this law.”

Miller praised Iowa businesses for having overwhelmingly complied with the new law.  He said that of over 82,000 businesses in the state, the State Department of Public Health has received complaints against only 917 -- about 1%.  And Miller noted that some of those complaints had to do with technical issues associated with the startup of the new law, such as placement of signs.

One of the cases was resolved recently through a negotiated settlement agreement.  “The Keg” in Ottumwa agreed to serve a seven-day suspension of its liquor license and pay a civil penalty of $1,000.  The suspension is scheduled to begin May 13.

Liquor License Actions by County

• Des Moines    5
• Wapello          4
• Appanoose     3
• Hamilton         3
• Black Hawk    2
• Muscatine       2
• Polk                2
• Allamakee       1
• Benton            1
• Calhoun          1
• Cerro Gordo   1
• Clinton            1
• Dickinson        1
• Dubuque         1
• Franklin           1
• Howard           1
• Mahaska         1
• Monroe           1
• Pottawatamie   1
• Poweshiek       1
• Scott               1
• Woodbury       1
• Warren            1
• Winneshiek      1
• Total                38

Status of Smokefree actions

Appanoose County

ALIBI; Centerville. Pending potential settlement.

GORDIE'S BAR & GRILL; Centerville. Awaiting decision of Administrative Law Judge following hearing.

T. MCGILL'S; Moulton. Pending potential settlement.

Monroe County 

PIT ROW SPORTS BAR & GRILL; Eddyville. Pending hearing before Administrative Law Judge

Mahaska County 

T & B CLUBHOUSE; Oskaloosa.

Pending hearing before Administrative Law Judge.

Wapello County 

THE KEG; Ottumwa. Settled with agreement to pay $1,000 and will serve seven-day suspension beginning May 13^th.

SMOKIN JO'S; Ottumwa. Awaiting Administrative Law Judge decision following hearing.

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS No. 775; Ottumwa. Awaiting Administrative Law Judge decision following hearing.

VINE STREET NUGGET; Ottumwa. Pending hearing before Administrative Law Judge.