Smoking ban measure on move

Publication Date: 2005-02-09

• Author:SONJI JACOBS
• Publication:The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia may soon be a smoke-free state, at least in public places.

A far-reaching measure to ban smoking in virtually all public, indoor areas unanimously passed the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday with little opposition from the public or business interests.
 
Sen. Don Thomas (R-Dalton) introduced the bill, which would prohibit lighting up in restaurants, bars, shopping malls, sports arenas even within 25 feet of the main doorway to public buildings. The committee approved a few minor amendments, including one that would bar residents of nursing homes and long-term facilities from smoking in their rooms but allow them to smoke in designated areas.