Oregon looks set to become the 17th US state to stub out smoking in all public places. 

New bills in the North-western state propose broadening the existing smoking ban in the workplace to pubs, restaurant bars, bowling alleys and bingo halls which were exempted when the legislation took effect in 2001. 

The bill’s backers claim the current law exposes 35,000 bar and tavern staff to potentially dangerous second-hand smoke. 

Sixteen US states are already smoke-free, with Montana and Utah ready to outlaw smoking in bars from early 2009.

For more on the smoking ban click here >>

Stub Out Smoking campaign success >>

Wales to ban smoking in April 2007 >>

By Angela Frewin

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