Cancer Society requests changes to anti-smoking law be thrown out

Publication Date: 2009-12-11

• Author:Geoff Dornan
• Publication:Nevada Appeal

The American Cancer Society has petitioned Carson District Court to declare legislation relaxing part of the voter-approved anti-indoor smoking law unconstitutional.

The Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act was approved by voters in 2006, outlawing smoking in public buildings or businesses such as restaurants except in casinos, stand-alone bars and strip clubs. The law drew loud objections from operations such as sports bars which also served food.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and several businesses called for a change in the law in the 2009 session. Specifically, they wanted the anti-smoking provisions amended to allow smoking and other tobacco use in convention halls during tobacco-related conventions such as those organized by the convenience store industry.

Opponents of relaxing the law beat that plan back during the session. They argued this was just the first step in dismantling the ban.