Arkansas’s Clean Indoor Air Act

Paper - Smoking in Public Places

July 23, 2006

Arkansas Code 20-27-1801, also known as The Arkansas Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006, became effective July 21, 2006. This new law now makes smoking in most public places a crime. This bill was first presented in the Arkansas State Senate as a tool to fight the harmful effects of second hand smoke experienced by non-smokers. According to www.arkansas.gov, second hand smoke is a known cause of lung cancer, heart disease, bronchitis, asthma, and low birth weight babies. Our state legislature contends that breathing second hand smoke is a major cause of preventable disease and death, and is an infringement on the rights of non smokers in our state.

In my opinion, this law is too extreme. I feel our legislature should be able to prohibit smoking in courthouses, government buildings, public schools, and hospitals. However, to blanket every single restaurant and workplace in our state with this law is wrong. I strongly feel the decision