New law bans smoking in businesses

Publication Date: 2007-06-10

• Author:Diana M. Alba
• Publication:Las Cruces (NM) Sun-News

A statewide ban on indoor smoking at most businesses — including bars — is set to go into effect June 15, according to the state Legislature Web site. The law, House Bill 283, also prohibits smoking near entrances, windows and ventilation systems...

A person violating the statute will face a $100 fine on the first offense, a $200 fine for a second offense within a year and a $500 fine for a third offense and each subsequent offense within a year of a previous violation.

But for other smokers, the new law won't be an inconvenience.

"It doesn't bother me," said Ryan Steinmetz, 29, of Las Cruces, who calls himself an occasional smoker. "If I smoke, it's outside anyway. It think it's better to be fair for everyone if it's not inside."