Ind. Legislature Passes Smoking Ban

(Indianapolis, Ind.) – Indiana is a stroke of Governor Mitch Daniels’ pen away from becoming the nation’s 37th state to enact anti-smoking legislation.

The Indiana Senate voted 28-22 to pass House Bill 1149 on Friday afternoon, sending the legislation to the desk of Governor Mitch Daniels, the Indianapolis Star reports.

Daniels has been on the record as saying he would pass any anti-smoking legislation that reaches his desk.

A compromise version of the bill had passed the House on Thursday night.

The proposal would prohibit smoking in most public places and within eight feet of a public entrance. However, it allows exemptions for casinos, cigar and hookah bars, fraternal, social, and veterans clubs, tobacco stores, cigar manufacturer facilities, and residential facilities if certain requirements are met.

One of the sticking points among supporters and those on the fence was whether the ban would include bars and taverns, which are exempt in the final version.

Businesses found to be in violation of the smoking ban would be subject to fines with a Class B infraction on the first three offenses, with the punishment increasing to a Class A infraction for each violation after that.

The full text of House Bill 1149 can be found at http://www.in.gov/apps/lsa/session/billwatch/billinfo?year=2012&session=1&request=getBill&docno=1149.

LINKS:

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House Passes Smoking Ban, 62-34

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Poll: 70% of Hoosiers Want Smoke Free Law