Smoking ban legislation appears dead in Statehouse

  • Comments
  • Print
Listen to this story

Subscriber Benefit

As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
This audio file is brought to you by
0:00
0:00
Loading audio file, please wait.
  • 0.25
  • 0.50
  • 0.75
  • 1.00
  • 1.25
  • 1.50
  • 1.75
  • 2.00

Legislation that would ban smoking in all public places, enclosed areas of places of employment and certain state vehicles
appears headed for an Indiana General Assembly summer study committee

The Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Indiana
State Medical Association co-lobbied in favor of House Bill 1131. But smoking cessation advocates opposed it, arguing a series
of exemptions had watered the legislation down too much.

Perhaps anti-smoking advocates’ biggest objection
to HB 1131 is its pre-emptive language, which would prohibit local governments around the state from establishing stronger
bans of their own that eliminate exemptions.

Authored by State Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary, HB 1131 would have
exempted from the ban casinos, bars, taverns, tobacco shops and family-owned businesses in which all the employees are related.

On Feb. 2, the House of Representatives approved the bill on a 73-to-26 vote, with 45 Democrats and 28 Republicans
voting in favor of it.

But Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, R-Fort Wayne, has signaled his caucus won’t
support the legislation.

Please enable JavaScript to view this content.

Story Continues Below

Editor's note: You can comment on IBJ stories by signing in to your IBJ account. If you have not registered, please sign up for a free account now. Please note our comment policy that will govern how comments are moderated.

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news. ONLY $1/week Subscribe Now

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In

Get the best of Indiana business news.

Limited-time introductory offer for new subscribers

ONLY $1/week

Cancel anytime

Subscribe Now

Already a paid subscriber? Log In