State Senate will reconsider smoking ban through House bill

Publication Date: 2005-03-05

• Author:William Thompson
• Publication:Quay County (NM) Sun

The New Mexico House of Representatives recently voted 49-12 to institute the Clean Air Act, a bill designed to prohibit smoking in all public places including restaurants but excluding bars.

The bill is now being debated in the senate; however the senate voted Thursday on a similar bill that failed to pass by six votes.

The bill must pass the senate and Governor Bill Richardson's approval to go into affect.

Clint Harden, the state senator representing Quay County said he is opposed to the bill because he thinks a smoking ban should be decided at the local level.