National
 
The American Non-Smokers Rights (ANR) organization continues to track pending legislation relating to states’ smoke free air policies and preemptive legislation. Please visit www.protectlocalcontrol.org to view the summary, text and status of pending state bills.

States
 
Georgia: The Senate Health and Human Services Committee passed a bill to ban smoking on to the Senate for approval. The ban would prohibit smoking in all public places including bars, restaurants and 25 feet from entrances to non-smoking areas. The bill has support from the Georgia Restaurant Association.

Maryland: The “Clean Indoor Air Act 2005” was proposed in the House and the Senate early in February. The bill has the support of 14 senators, 31 delegates, and polls indicate about 63% of Maryland voters. Under the law, Maryland would ban smoking in all workplaces including restaurants and bars. The Maryland legislature defeated a similar measure proposed in 2002.

Mississippi: The Senate Appropriations committee passed a bill to extract $200 million dollars from the state’s tobacco settlement fund to bridge other Mississippi budget gaps, most notably the Medicaid deficit. After reducing the smoking rate among youth dramatically over the past 5 years, the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi would be eliminated by this cut. The fund has been tapped into for several purposes unrelated to tobacco.

Minnesota: A bill proposing smoke free bars, restaurants, and public workplaces has passed the Minnesota Senate Health and Family Security Committee. The proposed law is headed to a Senate Commerce Committee for a vote. Some opponents are looking to have private clubs and bars removed from the bill.

Montana: Lawmakers introduced a bill that would prohibit smoking in all public places statewide. The Montana Tobacco Free Schools and Smoke-free Public Places Law has two provisions: to prohibit the use of tobacco products in public school buildings and on school property and to ban smoking in all public places including restaurants, casinos and bars.

Nebraska: Senator Nancy Thompson has introduced a bill that would ban smoking in all restaurant and bars serving food. She has also added a potential amendment to include all bars in the ban for Senate consideration and debate.

North Dakota: A bill was introduced to prevent localities from banning smoking in certain public venues such as truck stops, live stock auctions and hospital grounds. The amendment would nullify local laws which prohibit smoking in these venues.

South Carolina: SC is looking to join the ranks of 25 other states which penalize minors for possession of tobacco products. A bill started in the House would put more responsibility on the young person by imposing fines of $100 for smoking or possession of tobacco. The legislation would also increase the fine for selling cigarettes to a minor to $100.

Utah: Two Senators changed their votes to pass an amendment to Utah’s Clean Indoor Air Act by banning smoking in bars and private clubs. Following the new 15-14 vote, the bill moves to the House for approval.

Washington: A bill was proposed in the House that would expand the 1985 Clean Indoor Air Act to prohibit smoking in public buildings and workplaces including bars, bowling alleys, non-tribal casinos, hotels and private clubs.

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