Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
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After being caught by a reporter from The Des Moines Register smoking in in a state-owned vehicle, a violation of the state’s smoking ban, Iowa First Lady Mari Culver apologized and promised it would never happen again.
Culver was spotted by the Register smoking in a Chevrolet Tahoe that the state provides to the governor’s family.
From The Register:
The black sport-utility vehicle was stopped at a stoplight in downtown Des Moines about 8:45 a.m. Culver was sitting in the passenger seat with the window rolled down and a cigarette in her hand. A state trooper was driving. Numerous pedestrians and motorists passed by the scene.
The law went into effect July 1. It bans smoking in most workplaces, including bars and restaurants. Opponents said it was an infringement on individual rights. Proponents said it would protect workers from secondhand smoke, which they said can cause cancer and other diseases.
Culver released the following statement:
Like many Iowans, I have struggled to quit smoking. I successfully quit last year, but unfortunately started again a few months ago. I did smoke in a state vehicle, which I regret, and I promise that it will not happen again.
The statewide smoking ban, which was signed into law by Gov. Chet Culver in April, specifically mentions government-owned cars as an example of where smoking is not permitted.
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