Nebraska smoking ban stays; opt-out plan killed

Publication Date: 2009-02-11

• Author:Martha Stoddard
• Publication:Omaha World Herald

Cities and counties won't be able to opt out of a statewide ban on smoking in public buildings and workplaces.

The Health and Human Services Committee voted Wednesday to kill Legislative Bill 611, introduced by State Sen. Russ Karpisek of Wilber.

The bill would have allowed local communities to decide whether to adopt less stringent smoking rules.

The statewide ban is set to go into effect June 1. It provides exemptions for tobacco shops, some hotel rooms and laboratories used for research on smoking.

Private homes used for businesses are not covered, unless they are used as licensed child care facilities.