Tighter smoking restrictions are only a year away
Remember the old days when an ash tray had a place on every office desk?
Those days are long gone.
And they're going to become even more remote, thanks to LB 395, signed into law by Gov. Dave Heineman last February.
Not only will be smoking be banned from virtually any indoor workspace statewide -- including restaurants, bars, keno establishments and indoor public places -- the fines range up to $500 per violation.
The only indoor places that will be legal to smoke include up to 20 percent of hotel rooms, tobacco-only retailers defined as a "store that sells only tobacco and products directly related to tobacco." That does not include alcohol, coffee, soft drinks, candy, groceries or gasoline. Other exceptions include facilities researching the health effects of smoking and private residences -- except when the residence is being used for a licensed child care program.
And what constitutes and "indoor" workspace?
The law defines it as "an area enclosed by a floor, a ceiling, and walls on all sides that are continuous and solid except for closeable entry and exit doors and windows in which less than 20 percent of the total wall area is permanently open to the outdoors. For walls in excess of eight feet in height, only the first eight feet shall be used in determining such percentage."
If that seems too restrictive, be thankful you're not in Colorado, where smoking areas must be at least 15 feet away from the entrance.
The new restrictions go into effect June 1, 2009.
That's plenty of time to kick the habit altogether.