In an effort to amend the Arkansas state smoking law, by REMOVING ALL EXEMPTIONS FOR CIGAR BARS, LOUNGES, CIGAR SHOPS, OUTDOOR RESTAURANTS THAT WELCOME US, and other establishments and existing exemptions, Representative John W. Walker introduced HB 2119. The bill was rapidly assigned to the Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday, March 14 at 10:00 a.m.

ACTION ALERT
CRA urgently calls on the Arkansas CRA membership to contact your state Representatives and ask them to VOTE 'NO' on HB 2119.

Click Here to Contact Your Representatives.

NEXT STEPS
If HB 2119 passes the Committee and House of Representatives, immediately contact your member of the Arkansas Senate and tell them to "VOTE 'NO' on HB 2119.

TALKING POINTS
"The state is facing significant economic issues. We do not need to waste time on a statewide smoking ban. This is NOT an issue for the state."

"This legislation would destroy small business: it has no exemption for cigar shops, bars, or lounges."

"The local governments of Arkansas that want a smoking ban, have one. The state legislature does not need to meddle with these local government affairs. The existing state law, is working just fine."