Alaska governor signs bill banning smoking in workplaces

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Alaska Gov. Bill Walker has signed a bill to ban smoking in workplaces, including restaurants and bars.

Walker signed the bill on Tuesday in Anchorage, and it becomes law on Oct. 1.

The Legislature passed the bill in the waning hours of the session after it lingered in the House Rules Committee for months. Committee chairwoman Gabrielle LeDoux of Anchorage refused to move

the bill to the floor until the day before the Legislature adjourned.

The measure bars smoking on buses and in cabs, and in places including office

buildings, hotels, restaurants, bars and shops. It a...