State senator faces fine for smoking in Capitol building

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - A state senator may be facing a $500 fine for smoking in his Capitol office.

The Statesman Journal reports (https://goo.gl/l13uII ) Republican state Sen. Jeff Kruse was sent a warning from the Oregon Health Authority May 16 saying he may have violated Oregon’s Indoor Clean Air Act.

The senator from Roseburg told the Statesman while having a Pall Mall cigarette Tuesday that for 20 years he’s smoked inside his office, adding it was once common. He says he closes the door and opens a window and didn’t think it was bothering anybody.

But legislative counsel has warned Kruse over the years to stop and complaints have been filed over smoke filling the hallways. The county has fined the Legislature’s administrative committee $300 for the violations.

Kruse now says he’ll smoke outside and says he wishes he didn’t smoke but has no plans to quit.

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Information from: Statesman Journal, https://www.statesmanjournal.com