Las Vegas NowSmaller Fines For Smoking Ban Violators

Smaller Fines For Smoking Ban Violators

The new smoking ban is in effect in Southern Nevada. But it's still not being enforced and now health district is backing off its plans for bigger fines for violators.

Instead of increasing the fine from $100 to $600, the Southern Nevada Health District will issue tickets based on the language in the law itself. Those tickets could start being issued next week:

When UNLV Rebel fans cheered on their team many did it in their favorite tavern. Many fans also breathed a smoke free environment.

Las Vegas resident Mark Schwartz said, "Nobody is smoking. It's great. I'll tell you, I do not miss it."

Schwartz never smoked but his cheering buddy Bob Villones did. He quit eight months ago. The smoking ban is helping him stay on the non-smoking wagon.

Bob Villones said, "I love that it is no smoking in here. You catch a clean breath. You don't have to strain to see through the smoke of the TVs. Wonderful. It's a great place."

Villones and Schwartz wanted to order an early lunch with drinks while cheering on UNLV. Under the new Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act any business offering both must be smoke free.

Still, some businesses created their own smoking sections outside. But new benches and ashtrays offer as much comfort, as the new law will allow.

"We are going forward," said Attorney Stephen Minagil, who represents the health district.

He says the county agency could begin giving tickets as early as next week. However, the health district is backing off plans to increase the fine and create a new ticket challenge process. All citations will now go through the civil court process at the courthouse.

Minagil continued, "You are going to come fight the traffic downtown, fight the half hour wait at the elevator, fight waiting for the judge to get rid of the rest of his calendar before they hear us."

Villones and Schwartz both say that's just fine with them.

The health district will make a list of the 15 businesses with the most smoking complaints. Inspectors will pay those businesses one last visit before issuing tickets.

Smokers will be fined $100. The fine for the businesses is also $100. They will be fined if they have ashtrays and haven't posted "no smoking" signs.

Email your comments to Reporter Edward Lawrence.