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Smoking ban hearing set for Thursday

October 07, 2008|Katheran Wasson

Clark County residents will have one last chance to comment publicly about a regulation to ban smoking indoors before the local Board of Health considers final approval later this month.

In September, the Clark County Board of Health voted 5-3 to approve the regulation that will govern a public smoking ban in Winchester and Clark County. Changes could be made to the ordinance before it is finalized, based on public comments at Thursday's hearing, which will be at 6 p.m. at George Rogers Clark High School.

"This is an opportunity to give the public a chance to give input on the regulation," said Director of Public Health Scott Lockard. "(It's) a chance to look over that (regulation) and discuss any suggestions they have as to how to make the regulation better for our community."

After Lockard makes opening statements and summarizes the regulation, community members who sign up will have a chance to speak. Full copies of the regulation will be on hand, Lockard said.

Lockard emphasized that Thursday's discussion will be about the regulation, not general opposition or support of a smoking ban.

"This is not a forum for that," he said Monday. "This is a time to comment on the regulation we are going to put forth."

The second reading of the regulation will occur at the Board of Health's next regular meeting, which is slated for late October, said Lockard. Approval there would be the last step in enacting the ban.

Clark County's regulation bans smoking in "all enclosed public places within Clark County," including businesses, restaurants, bars, galleries, libraries and museums.

Smoking will be prohibited in sports arenas, health care facilities and doctors' offices, day cares and all common areas, such as lobbies, hallways and elevators. The regulation will also ban smoking in private clubs when used for a public function.

Smoking will still be allowed in private residences, hotel rooms designated for smoking, retail tobacco stores, private clubs with no employees and outdoor areas at places of employment.

Enforcement of the regulation will be up to the Health Department.

Seven counties and 13 Kentucky cities have enacted community-wide smoking bans since 2004, when Lexington-Fayette County approved an ordinance that outlawed smoking in all public buildings, including bars and restaurants.

Nearby Madison County, Woodford County, Danville, Franklin County and Morehead also have bans in place, according to the Kentucky Tobacco Policy Research Program at the University of Kentucky's College of Nursing.

Contact Katheran Wasson at kwasson@winchestersun.com.

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