Eureka Springs—Today, at an Arkansas Board of Health meeting in Eureka Springs, Dr. Glenn Davis, president of the Board of Health, directed the Arkansas Department of Health to draft and submit two proposed regulations concerning smoking in restaurants to the Board prior to the next meeting in January 2001.

One proposed regulation would require restaurants (depending on seating capacity) to provide for smoking sections with appropriate ventilation. The second proposed regulation would require a total ban on smoking in restaurants.

In addition, the Board members requested that the Health Department prepare a Financial Impact Statement concerning the cost to the department to implement and enforce the two proposed regulations by December 1.

The Board will vote to submit one or both proposed regulations to the public hearing process in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act.

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