House committee advances bill banning smoking and vaping in most indoor public spaces, adds bus-shelter ban

The House Health Committee voted to report House Bill 880, which would prohibit smoking and vaping in community spaces and workplaces while preserving narrow exceptions, as amended out of committee. Chair Frankel, who sponsored the bill, brought it forward in committee and asked staff to explain the measure.

The bill would bar smoking and vaping in indoor community spaces and workplaces but carve out exceptions for businesses organized around tobacco use — including tobacco importers, manufacturers, wholesalers, processors, storage facilities, stores and cigar bars — and permit businesses to allow smoking on outdoor patios. Erica, a committee staff member, summarized the bill to the committee: "House bill 8 80 expands protections from smoke and vapor by prohibiting smoking or vaping in all community spaces and workplaces. Notable…