TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A Tacoma restaurant owner who has been fighting for the right of his customers to smoke cigars is taking the fight to the Legislature.
Paul Mackay’s lawyer told The News Tribune of Tacoma they’ll ask lawmakers to create a license for establishments where customers will be permitted to smoke.
Mackay’s El Gaucho restaurant attempted to get around a 2005 state ban on smoking in public places by building a separate ventilated section.
The state Health Department said that was still a violation of the law. And on Monday Mackay finally agreed to the order, but he didn’t pay any fines.
