Smoking within 25 feet of doorways or windows would be banned under bills

Publication Date: 2012-02-29

• Author:Ed Anderson
• Publication:The Times-Picayune

Smokers would have to move at least 25 feet away from the doorways or windows of buildings to light up, according to a bill filed by a northeast Louisiana lawmaker for the upcoming session of the Louisiana Legislature. Rep. Frank Hoffmann, R-West Monroe, a former smoker, filed House Bill 307 to extend the ban on smoking to at least 25 feet outside of state-owned buildings or those renovated in whole or in part using state money.

The bill also would ban smoking within 25 feet of ventilation systems, wheelchair ramps and other structures that help the handicapped enter or leave buildings.

The bill would not apply to buildings constructed by a city or parish school board.

Hoffmann also filed House Bill 378 to likewise ban smoking within 25 feet of entrances, windows, wheelchair ramps and ventilation systems of private buildings, as well as "other enclosed areas" where smoking is prohibited.

Hoffmann said he is not trying to eliminate smoking in bars, casinos or other venues where it is still allowed. He said the purpose of the legislation is to reduce the effects of second-hand smoke -- the smoke that non-smokers inhale -- because of "abundant and mounting scientific evidence indicating that there is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke."...