By Sen. Ray Aguilar

LB 395 is the proposed smoking ban that was introduced last year. Senator Joel Johnson, Senator Arnie Stuthman and I worked together on the bill. Senators in opposition were successful in amending the bill to the point where it was no longer acceptable. Discussion over the interim, however, has quelled some of the opposition within the Legislature and LB 395 will be on the schedule for debate next week. Senator Johnson's plan is to return the bill to Select File for a specific amendment and to remove the "opt out" provision. The new amendment will add a time line of one year for implementation in order to give businesses time to conform. Senator Stuthman and I will again be part of a coaltion in support of this effort.

I will be very glad to get the issue finalized because everywhere I go people are voicing frustration that the smoking ban didn't pass last year. The majority of people I hear from are looking forward to going smok- free.

Joyce Haase is one of those frustrated by the delay. As a city councilwoman, Joyce has had those same concerns voiced to her. That is why she is asking the Grand Island city council to put the issue on the May ballot for a vote. Her proposal will include a 10 foot smoke free zone outside of any entrance to a smoke-free building. I wholeheartedly support her effort because it will only strengthen the effort at the state level.

A statewide policy will provide a much better opportunity for businesses. I believe all businesses across the state need to be working under the same smoke-free guidelines in order to avoid confusion about where it is applied and to eliminate any effort to lure smoking customers from one business to another.

Saint Francis Medical Center made their campus smoke-free a few years ago. A smoke-free campus and smoking cessation programs resulted 90 percent of their smoking employees quiting. How wonderful!

In addition to the smoke-free law, I introduced a bill to make smoking cessation products available to Medicaid recipients. Research has shown that persons with lower incomes have a much higher incidence of smoking than persons with a middle to high income. A smoking ban coupled with access to smoking cessation products certainly makes sense to me. I also see it as saving the state money with a lower incidence of smoking related illness. For me there is no doubtIt's a win, win situation.

To voice your opinion or concern about an issue or particular bill, please contact:

Senator Ray Aguilar, District 35, P.O. Box 94604,

Lincoln, NE 68509;

402-471-2617. Email: raguilar@leg.ne.gov