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January 28, 2008 issue
Tobacco
BILL: HB 1057 – Smoking Ban in Certain Public Places
AUTHOR: Rep. Charlie Brown, D-Gary
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: HB 1057 received a hearing before the House Committee on Public Policy on Wednesday, Jan. 23. Many ISMA physicians, including Enrico Garcia, M.D., of Terre Haute, attended the committee hearing in support of the bill. The bill was called at the end of the committee hearing and only 20 minutes were allowed for testimony. Neither the ISMA nor any physicians were permitted to testify in support of the bill. Unfortunately, it did not receive a vote and is dead for the 2008 legislative session. The author pledged to revive the bill next session and allow a full day of testimony.
The bill would have prohibited smoking statewide in public places, enclosed areas of a place of employment and certain state vehicles. Although the ISMA supported the bill, there were concerns that this legislation would not have provided a comprehensive smoking ban.
Language in the bill exempted: private residences, family owned and operated businesses, certain hotel and motel rooms, retail stores that derive 60 percent of their business from the sale of tobacco, a private or semiprivate room of a health or long-term care facility, private vehicles, bars, clubs, fraternal organizations, bowling alleys, live pari-mutuel horse racing facilities and their satellite locations, riverboats and casinos.
BILL: HB 1268 – Regulation of Cigarette Retail Sales
AUTHOR: Rep. Bill Cochran, D-New Albany
ISMA POSITION: Oppose
THIS WEEK: HB 1268 received a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 23, and was defeated by the committee. The bill is dead for the 2008 session.
The bill attempted to exempt wholesale cigarette vendors from the Cigarette Fair Trade Act, which does not allow wholesalers or retailers to sell cigarettes below cost. The ISMA was concerned the bill would allow wholesalers to sell cigarettes to retailers below cost, which could lead to a reduction in the price of cigarettes statewide.
BILL: SB 28 – Fire Safe Cigarettes
AUTHOR: Sen. Jeff Drozda, R-Westfield
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: SB 28 is eligible for amendment on second reading before the Senate. On Tuesday, Jan. 22, Sen. Drozda passed when his bill was called, so it will remain eligible for amendment until he decides to call the bill down. SB 28 is now eligible for a final vote.
The bill establishes reduced ignition propensity standards for cigarettes and provides certification fees and penalties. It also establishes a reduced ignition propensity standard for the cigarettes fund and the fire prevention and public safety fund.
BILL: SB 221 – Warning to Pregnant Women of Tobacco Use
AUTHOR: Sen. Vi Simpson, D-Bloomington
ISMA POSITION: Support
THIS WEEK: SB 221 was heard by the Senate on second reading on Tuesday, Jan. 22. Sen. Simpson offered an amendment to her bill that passed on a voice vote. The bill is now eligible for a final vote.
The bill requires tobacco vending machines and establishments that sell tobacco to post a notice stating that smoking by pregnant women may result in fetal injury, premature death and low birth weight.
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