Senators hear from smoking ban backers

MONTGOMERY -- A panel of state lawmakers listened to testimony Wednesday from students, doctors and others pleading for a ban on smoking in all public places in Alabama and all places of employment.

More than a dozen people spoke at the public hearing at the State House and only one of those, Mobile City Councilman John Williams, signed up as an opponent of the ban.

Williams said he has concerns with government making dictates to private property owners. He does oppose smoking in public places.

Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, has sponsored the bill for three years. She also sponsored the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2003, which took six years to pass. The act banned smoking in certain public places, designated certain areas for smoking and allowed municipalities to pass stricter smoking laws.

The Senate Education Committee took no vote Wednesday, since several members were away, but is scheduled to meet at 8 a.m. today to vote.

Most of those who spoke Wednesday in favor of the ban were school students from throughout Alabama, including Mobile.

Murphy High student Cassidy Adams expressed disappointment that the Mobile City Council has not prohibited smoking in public places. Others applauded action by the Daphne City Council to approve a ban earlier this month.

Those favoring a state ban discussed the ill effects of smoking, and said that even second-hand smoke can trigger respiratory and heart disease and increase the rates for some cancers. They said the state could reduce its spending on health care by cutting the exposure to the carcinogen.

Another student, Arienne Jones, said many of her peers are exposed to second-hand smoke through their jobs at food-service establishments. "No one should have to sacrifice their health for their paycheck or their paycheck for their health," she said.

The bill would prohibit smoking in all workplaces and all public places, including restaurants and bars. Entities exempted would include: hotel or motel rooms designated as smoking; private clubs; nursing home or long-term care facility rooms in certain situations; tobacco retail stores; and cigar bars.

If an entity is found in violation, the state health department would warn the owner or operator. If the situation is not corrected in 30 days, the entity would be fined up to $100 for the first violation, up to $200 for the second violation within a year, and up to $500 for the third violation within a year.