Waxman plans new push for FDA control of tobacco
The move to authorize the Food and Drug Administration to regulate tobacco products will be renewed in the upcoming month with a proposal from Representative Henry Waxman (D-Calif.). The bill will allow the FDA to control the labeling, marketing, transport, and sale of tobacco products. The House passed a similar bill last year, but the measure stalled in the Senate. This bill will face resistance from the tobacco lobby. Lawmakers have also expressed concerns about the capacity of the FDA to take on the responsibility of regulating tobacco. Click here to read more.

House OKs limited workplace smoking ban: Bars, betting venues excluded from measure (IN)
The Indiana House of Representatives has passed House Bill 1213 that will enact a statewide smoking ban if passed in the Senate. The House did add several provisions that greatly weakened the original proposal. Exemptions have been added that will exclude bars that do not allow individuals under eighteen years old, casinos, horse tracks and off-track betting parlors. There is also an exemption that allows nursing home to have smoking areas. Proponents of the ban are disappointed by the watered down version passed by the house and are advocating for the Senate to strengthen the proposal. With all of the exemptions, the bill is not protecting all of the states employees from secondhand exposure. Click here to read more.

Kansas Senate approves statewide smoking ban (KS)
A statewide proposal to ban smoking in Kansas bars, restaurants, workplaces and many other public venues has passed the Senate. While significant opposition is expected, this is an optimistic step considering it is the first time a smoking ban proposal has made it out of either chambers of the state’s legislature. The proposed ban does allow exemptions for private clubs, casinos, beer gardens and tobacco shops. Click here to read more.

Nebraska smoking ban stays; opt-out plan killed (NE) 
Cities and counties won’t be able to opt out of a statewide ban on smoking in public buildings and workplaces. The Health and Human Services Committee voted to kill Legislative Bill 611, introduced by State Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber.  The bill would have allowed local communities to decide whether to adopt less stringent smoking rules.  The statewide ban is set to go into effect June 1. To read more, click here.

Ban won’t choke businesses (SD)
As the anti-smoking bill in SD House is still alive, opponents argue that passing the smoking ban would be bad for business. Bar and restaurant owners predict steep declines in business if they are to ban all smoking. However, studies that have been conducted in other states have concluded that the decline in business due to smoking bans is unfounded.  To read more, click here.

Va. House approves ban on smoking (VA)
The Virginia House of Delegates recently passed a bill that could make their state the first in the South to ban smoking in both restaurants and bars. While some consider the passage of this bill to be a giant step, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK) criticizes the House for adding major exemptions that reduce the law’s power to protect workers from secondhand smoke. The House bill permits smoking in clubs and bars that do not admit minors, outdoor patio areas, and private clubs and establishments with enclosed smoking rooms, even if there is no separate ventilation system. Some legislators believe that the watered-down compromise bill is the best that can be expected, but CTFK encourages legislators to renegotiate the bill toward the original smoking ban proposal. Click here for more information about the bill, or click here to read a critique of the bill from CTFK. UPDATE: Governor promises quick signature on smoking ban The Virginia House and Senate have passed a measure that will restrict smoking in restaurants except for in separately ventilated rooms and private clubs. The measure is currently waiting for approval from Governor Kaine who is expected to sign it into law extremely quickly. Click here to read more.

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