AB128 would ban smoking on campuses

(AP) - An Assembly committee listened to supporters but did not vote on a bill that would ban smoking tobacco throughout the Nevada System of Higher Education.

Existing laws prevent smoking inside the buildings and around entrances. But Assemblyman Paul Aizley of Las Vegas, sponsor of AB128, told the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Friday that the rules are not working and students must walk through clouds of harmful secondhand smoke to enter buildings.

Bill supporters say Nevada should join more than 400 college and university campuses nationwide that are completely smoke-free.

University police would enforce the proposed law, and the penalty would be a misdemeanor.

Committee Chairman William Horne of Las Vegas suggested a compromise so people would not be overly inconvenienced if they chose to smoke.