Legislature agrees to smoking ban

Publication Date: 2007-04-04

• Publication:North Platte Bulletin

The Legislature agreed to ban smoking in buildings statewide under a bill set for third and final reading.

The ban would prohibit smoking in all places of employment and public places in Nebraska while allowing cities and counties to adopt an alternative to the ban.

Lawmakers adopted an amendment 31-5 that would allow local governments to decide whether to opt out of the statewide ban by adopting an ordinance or resolution that is less stringent than or more stringent than the ban.

As amended, LB 395 would allow the governing body of a city, village or county to adopt a less stringent ordinance or resolution, but the public would have an opportunity to petition for the repeal of the ordinance or resolution. Governing bodies or voters could place the repeal on the ballot for voters’ approval.

Any ordinance or resolution could not be less stringent than the Clean Indoor Air Act now in force in Nebraska.