DES MOINES - A pair of Iowa bars face suspensions of their liquor licenses for violations of the state's public smoking ban.

Fro's Pub n' Grub in Wilton will lose its license for 21 days, and Otis Campbell's Bar & Grill in West Burlington will see a minimum suspension of 30 days if there are no appeals of the decisions, according to separate rulings from an administrative law judge released Friday.

Both suspensions are to begin Feb. 9.

Fro's Pub n' Grub and Otis Campbell's Bar & Grill received notices of potential violation from the Iowa Department of Public Health after the law took effect last July. Law enforcement and health officials observed violations of the law at both establishments on repeated visits, according to the rulings.

The bars are the first in Iowa to face such sanctions for smoking ban violations, but similar complaints have been filed against Manning's Whistle Stop in Clinton and Outer Limits in Des Moines.

Brian Froehlich, owner of Fro's Pub n' Grub, declined to comment on the ruling, and Larry Duncan, owner of Otis Campbell's, couldn't be reached Friday.

The difference in the length of the suspensions reflects that Fro's Pub n' Grub eventually began complying while Otis Campbell's has continually defied the ban, said Lynn Walding, administrator of the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division.

The suspension for Otis Campbell's Bar & Grill may be lengthened if the ownership doesn't start meeting its obligations under the law, according to the ruling.

Walding said Friday's rulings should send a message to other business owners who are considering defiance of the smoking ban.

"Other bars have been sitting back waiting to see what, if anything, happens in this case," he said.

"I think it'll show that there are potential penalties. I think other licensees will be looking at that."

Both bars have 30 days to appeal for an administrative review of the rulings, in which case Walding would decide the outcome of the penalties for the two establishments.

Walding said he wouldn't comment on how he would decide in such a review.

The ban outlaws smoking in most workplaces, including bars and restaurants, and the law allows for fines, revocation or suspension of liquor licenses as a penalty for violations.

Judge Margaret LaMarche released both rulings on the same day after the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division held separate hearings on the cases in October and November.

Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller issued a statement on Friday praising the rulings.

"We applaud the proposed decisions," Miller said. "Our complaints argued a basic principle - that liquor control licenses and wine or beer permits can be suspended or revoked for establishments that violate the laws of the state."

Contact Fred Love

at (515) 422-9048 or

fred.love@lee.net.