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House rejects ban on smokeless tobacco Friday, Oct 19, 2007 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News Bureau LITTLE ROCK - A proposed rule change to ban smokeless tobacco from the House chamber and committee rooms failed during a House caucus Thursday. Before the vote, one House member said opponents of smokeless tobacco should be concerned with more weighty matters, suggesting that many supporters of the ban were overweight. "Here we go again, telling us how to live and how to die, and the very people that are the most for this amendment are about 50 pounds overweight," said Rep. Billy Gaskill, D-Paragould. The proposal, which needed 67 votes, or a two-thirds majority of the 100 member House, received 51 votes. Gaskill, a longtime smoker, said later his comments were not aimed at any particular lawmaker. He was trying to show that being overweight is more of a health concern than using smokeless tobacco, he said. The sponsor of the proposed rule, Rep. Pam Adcock, D-Little Rock, said she wasn't offended by Gaskill's comments. "I'm use to Gaskill," Adcock said. "I don't know. I think the world of Bill Gaskill ... it's in the heat of the moment." She did say she was disappointed that several lawmakers who had indicated their support failed to vote Thursday. Twenty-seven House members voted against the proposal, two voted present and 20 House members did not vote. Adcock also said she hopes Gov. Mike Beebe, who has signed several anti-smoking proclamations since being sworn in as governor in January, would support anti-tobacco legislation she may proposed during the 2009 session. Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample said Thursday it was too early to talk about possible legislation for the 2009 legislative session. After the caucus ended Thursday, House Speaker Benny Petrus, D-Stuttgart, walked by Adcock outside the House chamber and suggested she consider bringing the proposal back during the early days of the 2009 session. He said changes to House rules only need 51 votes during the first three days of a session. After that, they need 67 votes, he said. "I might do that," Adcock said. In the debate before Thursday's vote, Rep. Gene Shelby, D-Hot Springs, an emergency room doctor, spoke of the disfigured condition left after someone has jaw surgery to remove cancer caused by smokeless tobacco. He also provided literature on the dangers of smokeless tobacco, including a photograph of someone whose jaw was removed. Rep. Randy Stewart, D-Kirby, urged support for the proposal, saying House members "need to set an example in here for all the kids who sit in the gallery and watch this." Rep. Monty Davenport, D-Yellville, who voted against the proposal, showed reporters outside the House chamber a near empty can of smokeless tobacco. Even though he uses the tobacco, he admitted, "It is gross, and as a health issue you can't defend it." During the caucus, lawmakers did approve some minor technical changes to the House rulebook. |
