Smoking ban clears committee

[Ray Wright]

MONTGOMERY -- A legislative panel today gave its OK to a proposed ban on smoking in most indoor public places in Alabama.

The Government Operations Committee of the state House of Representatives approved, with some changes, Senate Bill 229, which is sponsored by Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile. Among the changes, the panel voted to exempt the state's four dog tracks from the smoking ban.

The entire House could approve the bill on this session's last meeting day, which likely will be May 19. If passed by the House, the Senate would have to agree to go along with any changes to the version of the bill that passed the Senate last week.

If passed by lawmakers on the last day, the bill still would have to be signed by Gov. Bob Riley to become law.

by David White -- The Birmingham News May 07, 2008 12:49 PM

[Ray Wright]

I think that it is quite telling that the panel voted to exempt the state's four dog tracks from the smoking ban. What that is telling me is that the government on the one hand says "it is wrong to smoke and it is to gamble because it only hurts the poor." And on the other hand they say,"well, as long as you are hurting the poor anyway, we want some of that money so let them smoke while they gamble! Don't make it illegal, just make a profit from it while shaking our heads with disapproval."

Some how or another (I have not read this bill) I believe it will still make it illegal to smoke in a privately owned bar.

[Amber]

I do not smoke but I think that people should be free to do whatever they want as long as it does not impede on other people's rights. I really don't see the point in making it illegal to smoke in privately owned places. Soon it will become illegal to smoke in your car or walking down the street.