Smoking ban debate heats up

Publication Date: 2005-02-28

• Author:KEVIN O'HANLON, AP
• Publication:Lincoln Journal Star

The arguments have seemingly been made a thousand times before, but that didn't diminish the debate Thursday about whether the state should take control of the smoking ban issue.

Less than two months after Lincoln enacted a citywide smoking ban, dozens of people testified before the Legislature's Judiciary Committee about a bill (LB730) by Sen. Pat Bourne of Omaha that would preclude cities from enacting smoking bans that are tougher than existing state law. More Session 2005 stories.

The Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act allows businesses to choose whether to allow smoking, ban it or allow it in designated areas...