NEW YORK, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Local and statewide bans on smoking tobacco now affect 39 percent of the United States' population, and are facing less opposition.
Americans for Non-smokers' Rights there are now more than 2,000 state or local bans on smoking, and of those 118 state or local governments ban smoking in restaurants, bars and other workplaces.
The toughest law came this month in Washington state, which banned smoking in all public facilities and workplaces and outside within 25 feet of doors, windows and vents.
"The battlefield has changed," said Tom Foulkes, vice president for state relations at the National Restaurant Association. He said bars are focusing more now on fighting local restrictions, but not all state and local affiliates oppose smoke-free laws.
Philip Morris USA, the nation's largest cigarette company, decided this year to stop opposing smoke-free laws except where the company owns a local business directly affected, spokesman Bill Phelps told USA Today.
