By Susan Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
The bill is be known as the “Alabama Smoke-free Air Act of 2012,” SB198 passed out of the Senate Health Committee on Wednesday with three amendments.
Senator Vivian Davis Figures (D-Mobile), sponsor of the bill, said, “This bill really focuses on second-hand smoke and people breathing smoke involuntarily. Whatever the wishes of the committee regarding this amendment are fine.”
Senator Gerald Dial (R-Lineville) offered the first amendment deleting electronic cigarettes from the bill. Dial added, “This just deletes e-cigarettes that a lot of people are using to quit smoking. I don’t think there is any opposition to this amendment. They don’t produce anything that tobacco does in the atmosphere.”
Also inserted in the bill was the clarification of cigar bar and private clubs: “Cigar bar–an establishment that is primarily devoted to the onsite business of selling cigars or cigar tobacco and the onsite sale or rental of humidors. An establishment may be licensed to sell alcohol or alcoholic beverages for consumption by guests on the premises in which the serving of food is only incidental to the consumption of the beverages.
To address any establishments grandfather provision, an amendment to page 9, line 26 after the word “club” the inserted text reads: “That is in existence and operating on the date of the effective date of this act. Notwithstanding or forgoing this act shall apply for a private club that comes into existence after the effective date of this act.”
This bill will now be placed in the Senate Rules Committee to determine its placement on any Special Orders.
