Nebraska Lawmakers Approve Statewide Smoking Ban, Await Governor's Decision February 25, 2008
News Summary
The Nebraska legislature has approved a statewide ban on indoor smoking, but Gov. Dave Heineman has not yet committed to signing the measure into law, the Lincoln Journal-Star reported Feb. 22.
Heineman said he hasn't decided whether the public-health benefits of the ban outweigh concerns about interfering with business interests and individuals' right to smoke.
If signed into law, the ban would take effect June 1, 2009. The measure approved by lawmakers did not include a controversial provision that would have allowed individual communities to opt out of the ban. The bill survived some strong opposition in the state Senate, including a filibuster attempt.
Supporters said polls have shown that 70 percent of Nebraskans favor the ban.
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