Smoking Bans Possible in All States by 2020

If smoking bans continue at their current rate, every US state may have a comprehensive one in place by 2020, CDC officials predict. That's defined as one that covers workplaces, restaurants, and bars. “It is by no means a foregone conclusion,” but “I'm relatively bullish we'll at least get close to that number,” says a CDC official. Not one state had instituted a ban in 2000; by last year 25 had, notes AP.

On top of that, 10 states have partial bans in place. Meanwhile, just seven states (Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming) have no rules against indoor smoking, though some of their cities do. “It's just a little bit more liberty slipping away at the hands of big government,” says a smoking advocate. But the head of the American Heart Association applauded the news, adding, "It's too soon to rest on our laurels.” (More smoking stories.)