Second-Hand Smoke Trial Delayed

Sun., March 3, 1996

From Staff And Wire Reports

A judge has halted until April 17 a trial to determine whether state rules limiting smoking in private-sector offices are legal.

Thurston County Superior Court Judge Richard Strophy postponed further argument in the case, saying his court had run out of time and would not be available to resume until mid-April. The trial began Wednesday.

Tobacco companies and Washington businesses are suing the state Department of Labor and Industries. They contend the 1994 rules were illegal because they were improperly imposed and were based on weak information that secondhand smoke is a workplace hazard.

The regulations allow smoking in private office buildings only in designated smoking rooms. The rooms must meet stringent ventilation requirements and can be used for smoking only.

Washington also bans smoking in public places, such as stores, in state offices and in restaurants except for areas designated for smoking. Those rules are not under challenge.

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