Assembly gets bill to bar smoking in child care facilities

The Nevada Assembly is considering a bill that would complete a ban on smoking in child-care facilities.

AB118 would also install a ban on any tobacco use in video arcades which cater to those under the age of 18.

Existing law prohibits smoking in the areas of a child-care facility where children are but allows the owner or operator to designate a smoking area within the center. AB118 would remove that exemption, making child-care operations off limits to smoking.

The provisions would apply to all establishments operated day or night for five children or more but would exempt child-care facilities operated in a personal residence.

The proposal, referred to the Judiciary Committee for study, would also add video arcades to the list of places where smoking is banned. The legislation reasons those places, with 10 or more video game machines, cater to and attract large numbers of juveniles.

The bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, was so-sponsored by 32 other Assembly members as well as four members of the Senate.