Rules for Ark. smoking ban go into effect week after law

Publication Date: 2006-07-06

• Author:Andrew DeMillo
• Publication:Pine Bluff Commercial

The rules governing Arkansas' workplace smoking ban won't be approved until nearly a week after the prohibition becomes law July 21, a state health official said Thursday.

Several lawmakers said they were concerned that the state's smoking ban will hurt businesses, particularly with its requirement that any business that admits anyone under the age of 21 must comply with the law.

Paul Halverson, state health officer and director of health, said although the law takes effect July 21, the state Board of Health must still approve the rules for its enforcement. The Board will vote on the proposed rules July 27, Halverson said.

Halverson said state health officials will still take complaints of businesses that are in violation of the law, and that criminal penalties for the ban will be effect July 21.