Kentucky House leaders appear poised to allow debate on a statewide smoke-free law on the chamber floor Thursday. The vote would represent a first for the legislation, which has been introduced and discussed in committee for the past five consecutive years without action.
"I don't know how any public leader today can sleep at night if they are not committed to health reforms like a statewide smoke-free law," Lt. Gov. Crit Luallen rallied anti-smoking advocates in the Capitol Rotunda Wednesday. House members then found themselves filing past demonstrators lining the steps to the chamber.
House Speaker Greg Stumbo said the vote count in the House will likely hinge on which amendments are attached.
"The concern is what happens if you have a community that's passed a smoking ban that's exempted certain facilities, do you want to grandfather them in. If you grandfather them in, it picks up several votes," he told reporters.
Lexington Rep. Susan Westrom’s bill would prohibit smoking in businesses and public places. In its current form, the measure would not exempt e-cigarettes or hookah bars.
