Reacting quickly to news that the D.C. City Council had passed a smoking ban, Mayor Anthony Williams released a statement late this afternoon noting that he supports protections for the health of workers but opposes a comprehensive smoking ban in bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. He stated:

I support stronger health protections for workers in the District. Therefore, I am willing to support a smoking ban in most workplaces, including banks, educational facilities, health care facilities, public transportation facilities, retail stores, reception areas, waiting rooms, Laundromats, and the like. At the same time, I cannot support a 100 percent smoking ban that would include our restaurants and bar establishments. These are establishments that cater to our residents and visitors, and it is my belief that a 100 percent smoking ban would result in economic harm for these businesses, particularly smaller neighborhood establishments.

Williams went on to note that he supports a smoking ban in the dining area of restaurants and would endorse a plan to force bars and nightclubs to install high-tech ventilation systems, as council-member Carol Schwartz (R-At Large) has proposed. Williams closed by noting, “A 100 percent smoking ban in the District is unworkable, and I cannot support it.”

Correction: Oops. In a rush to get this statement online, we failed to look at its date — December 5. So, this is what Williams said yesterday, not today. Our apologies, and thanks to the reader that tipped us off.