Iowa first lady admits violating state smoking ban

[November 21, 2008]  DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Her husband just signed a smoking ban into law in April. Now Iowa first lady Mari Culver admits she already broke it.

The wife of Gov. Chet Culver released a statement Thursday saying she quit smoking last year but started again a few months ago and smoked in a state vehicle.

The ban outlaws smoking in most workplaces, including cars of employers.

The first lady's admission followed a report in The Des Moines Register that she was seen smoking in a sport-utility vehicle the state provides to her family. A trooper was driving, with Mari Culver in the passenger seat with the window down.

A spokesman for the first lady did not comment about whether she would be fined.

[Associated Press]

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