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Nebraska's New Smoke-Free Law is Historic Win for Health 

All Nebraska workplaces, including restaurants, bars and gaming facilities, will be smoke-free beginning June 1, 2009, thanks to legislation overwhelmingly approved by the Legislature last week and signed into law today by Governor Dave Heineman. Governor Heineman and the Legislature have delivered a historic victory for public health and protected the right of all Nebraskans to breathe clean air. Nebraska is the 23rd state to pass a strong smoke-free law that includes restaurants and bars. Nebraska's smoke-free law adds to the growing momentum across the country and around the world to protect all workers and the public from the serious health hazards of secondhand smoke. No one should have to put their health at risk in order to earn a paycheck or enjoy a night out.

We congratulate the legislators, organizations and businesses that have championed this critical public health measure, including the Partnership for Smokefree Nebraska, the Nebraska Restaurant Association and Big Red Keno.

Nebraska joins 22 other states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico in passing smoke-free laws that cover restaurants and bars.

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