N.J. indoor smoking ban advances
story from the Associated Press
By Angela Delli Santi, Associated Press Writer -
December 15, 2005
TRENTON, N.J. -- Lighting up would become illegal in restaurants, bars,
malls, bowling alleys and other indoor public accommodations throughout
the state, under a proposal approved Thursday by the state Senate.
The Smoke Free Air Act was approved, 29-7. The bill still must pass in
the Assembly before the current legislative session ends on Jan. 9 and
be signed by the governor to become law. The measure remains in the
Assembly's Health and Human Services Committee, where it could be
considered when that body reconvenes after the New Year.
Cigar bars, tobacco retailers and casino floors would be exempt from
the ban.
Violators would face fines of $250 to $1,000.
"This is an unqualified success," said Tom Duffy, executive vice
president of the American Cancer Society's Eastern Division.
Advocates say the bill was prompted by a desire to protect workers and
patrons from the dangerous effects of secondhand smoke, which has been
shown to contribute to a host of ills from cancer and heart disease to
respiratory ailments.
"With all the facts we know today, we need to do whatever we can to
protect our workers and patrons from being exposed to the dangers of
secondhand smoke," said acting Gov. Richard J. Codey, who was among those
who pushed for the bill as a senator and is expected to sign it if it
reaches the governor's desk.
Antismoking groups lobbied hard for the legislation, arguing that it
was lawmakers' public health responsibility to pass it.
"We think there is every reason to do this now," said Dr. George T.
DiFerdinando, chairman of New Jersey Breathes. "The people of New Jersey
want it, the workers of New Jersey deserve it and when this ban occurs,
revenue in restaurants and bars will go up. That's what's been shown in
New York City.
That city enacted a similar ban three years ago, and Chicago enacted
one last week, but gave taverns and bars located inside restaurants until
the middle of 2008 to comply.
Several other states also have indoor smoking bans. They include
California, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Montana and Oklahoma.
Restaurant and tavern owners groups asked lawmakers to consider the
adverse impact they said a smoking ban would have on their businesses.
Cathy Burke, who owns the Irish Pub in Atlantic City, said a law that
banned smoking at her business but allowed it at neighboring casinos would
put her out of business.
Some lawmakers said they also were troubled by the provision excluding
casino gaming floors from the ban.
Sen. Ronald Rice, D-Newark, called the exemption "political," and said
he would not support the bill because of it.
Other lawmakers, such as Sen. Loretta Weinberg, D-Bergen, said the
political reality was that the measure wouldn't pass without the exemption.
The compromise made the measure more palatable to lawmakers who
represent South Jersey.
Copyright (c) 2005, The Associated Press
