Smokefree Indoor Air Update (w/poll)

I have been following the progress of Workplace Smoking Bills through the nation's legislatures during the 2007 Legislative Session.  Three workplace smoking laws have already come into effect this year.

Puerto Rico: March 1st
Arizona: May 1st
Ohio: May 3rd (has been in effect but enforcement started)

One state has enacted a workplace smoking law taking effect later this year

New Mexico: June 15th

Two states, Utah and Montana, have partial workplace smoking laws which extend to all workplaces in 2009.

Utah: Jan. 2009
Montana: Oct. 2009

(More after the flip)

Two states, Maryland and Illinois, have seen their legislatures pass Workplace Smoking Laws which are just awaiting their Governor's signatures.  Govs. O'Malley and Blagojevich are expected to sign the bills.

Maryland: Takes effect Feb. 1st, 2008 (if signed)
Illinois: Takes effect Jan. 1st, 2008 (if signed)

One state, Minnesota, had its House and Senate approve somewhat different bills which are now being reconciled in Conference Committee.  The Conferees chosen for the Conference Committee seem to be workplace smoking law proponents, so I am confident that a strong bill will emerge from Conference.

Minnesota: Effective Date being considered in Conference

A number of states still have workplace smoking laws at some stage in the legislative process.

New Hampshire:

The bill, SB42 has passed the Senate, and it is currently in the House Commerce Committee.  There's no indication of when the bill will exit the committee and go to the full House, but it is expected to pass.  The bill has the support of Gov. Lynch.

Oregon

Happily, a comprehensive workplace smoking bill is back on track after Democratic Senate President Peter Courtney decided that he will support the bill.  The problem in Oregon, is that the state depends heavily on Video Lottery Terminals for state revenue.  The state fiscal analysts predicted a $50 million loss in VLT revenue if a comprehensive workplace smoking law came into effect.  If the state can guarantee workers health while cutting gambling at the same time, that seems like a double advantage to me.

http://www.kgw.com/...

Wisconsin

SB150 has just recently started out in Committee in the Wisconsin Senate.    The bill has the strong support of Gov. Doyle.

Tennessee:

The only other state that I think might take up a workplace smoking law this year is Tennessee.  Gov. Bredesen has pushed hard for the bill.  It remains to be seen what will happen in Tennessee.