Ark. House alters smoking ban proposal

Publication Date: 2006-04-06

• Author:ANDREW DeMILLO
• Publication:Pine Bluff Commercial

A proposal to ban smoking in most enclosed workplaces in Arkansas faces a challenge in the House, where a representative said he has several changes he'd like to see in the measure.

The House on Thursday voted 66-19 to amend the proposal to exempt all hotels and motels with less than 25 hotel rooms. The ban, backed by Gov. Mike Huckabee, on Tuesday passed the state Senate 30-4.

The proposal now goes back to the House rules committee, which had endorsed the ban on Wednesday.

Rep. Bob Mathis, D-Hot Springs, said he introduced the change to help small businesses that would be hurt by the smoking prohibition. Mathis had voted against the smoking ban in a committee meeting on Wednesday.