Grand Island city councilwoman Joyce Haase is not waiting to hear from the legislature as she is proposing a city ordnance to be brought before the voters in the May 13 primary election. Her proposal would eliminate smoking in all enclosed places of employment as well as within 10 feet outside of an enclosed area where smoking is prohibited. Haase's measure stipulates that the smoking ban be effective as of June 1.

The legislature is meandering around the issue as usual, but it looks like Kearney senator Joel Johnson, a physician, is going to be able to bring a vote to his bill which would eliminate smoking across the state of Nebraska in public spaces and places of employment. If it comes to a vote, hopefully it will not have a provision for local entities to opt out of the smoking restrictions. To allow such language in the bill would create a mish-mash of smoking laws across the state. Local governments fear that by eliminating smoking in their towns, it would encourage smokers to drive to a nearby town where smoking is allowed to have a cigarette while sipping a beverage or having lunch.

By eliminating smoking from bars and restaurants across the state, Nebraska would instantly become a healthier state. This law could have the biggest positive impact on public health in the state's history.

There will be more to be said about this issue as the vote gets nearer, but we must congratulate Haase for her courage to bring the issue to the voters. Smoking is perhaps the number one contributor to health issues. To ban smoking from bars and restaurants is to instantly make those businesses healthier for employees, vendors and customers.

Councilman Tom Brown put the issue squarely in the center of the dart board when he said that if were any other health issue, the city would act quickly.

Hopefully, the legislature will show some spine and pass a statewide ban, which would be in effect on June 1, 2009. Grand Island should also make a stand and pass the Haase measure and become a healthier community a full-year in advance of the state law.