[JURIST] Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue [official website] signed a bill Monday which effectively bans smoking in almost all public places in the tobacco-growing state. The Georgia Smokefree Air Act of 2005 [PDF text] would still allow smoking in bars that exclude children under 18, certain workspace areas with independent air systems, and designated smoking hotel/motel rooms. Violators of the new smoking ban face fines anywhere from $100 to $500 dollars. It was previously unclear whether the Republican governor would pass the contrioversial bill, as he initially said he had serious doubts about it [AP report]. AP has more.