Bill seeks anti-smoking pledge from holders of scholarships

Monday, April 16, 2001 | 10:29 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The Senate has given preliminary approval to a bill that would require those who receive Millennium Scholarships to attend college in Nevada to sign a pledge to refrain from smoking while they receive the scholarship money.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, said the students should be aware that the money for the scholarships comes from the tobacco settlement money won by the states.

The Millennium Scholarship provides money for any Nevada high school graduate with Bs or better to get up to $10,000 over four years to attend a state college or university.

In addition to the requirement for Millennium Scholars, Senate Bill 258 was amended by voice vote Friday to include other new restrictions on tobacco. It prohibits anybody from advertising cigarettes or tobacco products at private and public schools, on the grounds, at an activity or in any material published by a school.

It expands the ban on smoking to school property, at child-care centers and medical facilities.

Taxicabs also would have to post signs on or in their vehicles on whether smoking was permitted.

SB258 is due for a final vote in the Senate Tuesday,

The bill originally sought to give local governments authority for stricter no-smoking ordinances.