SectionsNew smoking bill won't affect university's policy
Nic Stogsdill
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: News
A new bill in Missouri's House of Representatives could make smoking in public places illegal and may interfere with Missouri State's attempts to restrict smoking on campus.
Bill No. 1766 is similar to Springfield's ban on smoking in restaurants or indoor public places due to health concerns.
The bill would make it illegal to smoke in a non-designated area in most establishments. The bill lists that tobacco retail outlets, private residences, 20 percent of hotels and outdoor places of work will still allow people to smoke.
The bill also sets strict rules on educational facilities, except ones of higher education, which reduces the affect on Missouri State.
Earle Doman, vice president of student affairs and head of the Campus Tobacco Use/Smoking Advisory Committee, said the committee recommended the policy remain unchanged.
"There're a lot of process that have to go through," he said, "so to me, we are just going to go forward with the plans we have. If the law changes, then we will obey the law."
Doman said it reflected the way the country's attitude on smoking is changing due to health concerns and liability issues.
"This represents a change around the country, where private entities and public entities are changing policies," he said. "A lot of it is because of the science behind it. There is little doubt about the concerns."
The bill is still in its initial stages. It must be assigned to a committee, go through the House and then the Senate before it can become law.
Bill No. 1766 is similar to Springfield's ban on smoking in restaurants or indoor public places due to health concerns.
The bill would make it illegal to smoke in a non-designated area in most establishments. The bill lists that tobacco retail outlets, private residences, 20 percent of hotels and outdoor places of work will still allow people to smoke.
The bill also sets strict rules on educational facilities, except ones of higher education, which reduces the affect on Missouri State.
Earle Doman, vice president of student affairs and head of the Campus Tobacco Use/Smoking Advisory Committee, said the committee recommended the policy remain unchanged.
"There're a lot of process that have to go through," he said, "so to me, we are just going to go forward with the plans we have. If the law changes, then we will obey the law."
Doman said it reflected the way the country's attitude on smoking is changing due to health concerns and liability issues.
"This represents a change around the country, where private entities and public entities are changing policies," he said. "A lot of it is because of the science behind it. There is little doubt about the concerns."
The bill is still in its initial stages. It must be assigned to a committee, go through the House and then the Senate before it can become law.
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