HAMPTON — A proposed bill that aims to ban smoking in and around playgrounds will go before a committee for a hearing on Jan. 29.
State Rep. Susan Kepner, D-Hampton, introduced the bill that, if approved, would ban smoking within 25 feet of playgrounds in the state of New Hampshire.
“Basically, it’s a health issue,” Kepner said. “Kids should be able to play in a smoke-free environment.”
The committee hearing is the first step in the legislative process.
Kepner said she modeled the bill after a similar law in California.
Smoking within the boundaries of a playground or sandbox area have been prohibited in California since Jan. 1, 2002.
“The law was very good, so we just piggybacked on that and made it our own,” Kepner said.
According to the bill, the fine for violating the law would be $100.
Kepner got the idea to introduce the legislation after speaking to a concerned Hampton resident who was in shock by the number of people who smoke in and around the playgrounds in town.
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The full text of the bill can be read here:
HB 81
This bill will be heard before the Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs Committee on 1/29/2009 at 1:00 PM in the LOB Room 205