No smoking bill pleases local activists

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
Despite the fact she smoked for years, Russellville Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Belinda Johnson was thrilled to hear this week that the state Senate passed a bill that would ban smoking in all public places.
"We are absolutely thrilled," said Johnson, who has been working with the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Action Network.
The bill, which now goes to the House of Representatives, would ban smoking in all indoor workplaces, even those not usually open to the public.
If enacted, the bill will ban smoking in restaurants, retail stores, theaters and most all public indoor areas. The proposed law also would ban smoking at some outdoor locations such as bleachers, grandstands, seating areas of arenas and amphitheaters or anywhere within 10 feet of the entrance, window or ventilation system of a place where smoking is banned.
"Second-hand smoke is a major cause of lung cancer," Johnson said. "By banning smoking in the workplace and other public places, we believe this will save lives."
Johnson has been to Montgomery in the past to talk with legislators about passing such legislation. Hundreds of volunteers were at the Capitol Wednesday as the Senate voted 28-3 to pass the bill.
"We will be contacting our members of the House to encourage them to pass it like the Senate did," Johnson said.
The smoking ban would not apply to a private residence, designated smoking room in a motel or hotel, a room in a nursing home or similar facility, if every resident of the room smokes, fraternal, social or other private clubs or tobacco retail stores.
Johnson, a cancer survivor once, said she is at risk of having lung cancer at some point because of all the years she smoked.
"I had a hard time quitting," she said. "I loved smoking. But now, knowing what I know, I truly believe in a smoke-free Alabama."
It must be passed in the House before being enacted into law.