Gov. Florio Won’t Sign ‘Smokers’ Rights’ Bill

A bill barring employers from discriminating against people who smoke off the job will become law without Gov. James J. Florio’s signature. The “smokers’ rights” law would penalize employers with first-time fines of up to $2,000 for firing or denying jobs to people who light up at home.

Florio said Monday that he will not veto the bill but said, “I just do not feel comfortable affixing my signature to a bill that somehow, at least symbolically, seems to give an imprint of public approval to smoking.”