Petal Update
Few opposed to Petal smoking ban
By DEMETRICA SMITH
October 14, 2007
PETAL – Out of 54 people present at the City of Petal’s open forum for the proposed city-wide smoking ordinance Thursday night, only 16 opposed it.
Mayor Carl Scott opened the session by saying he doesn’t really know where he stands on the issue, but said he realizes the benefits of not smoking because he smoked for 32 years before quitting the habit.
Petal considers smoking ban
September 11, 2007
By NANCY KAFFER
PETAL -The Friendly City soon may become the next municipality to enact a smoking ban.
A proposed ordinance under review by the board of aldermen would ban smoking in most public places, including restaurants, shopping malls, convention facilities, polling places and sports arenas.
The ordinance, proposed by the city’s planning commission, would also prohibit smoking within 20 feet of public entrances, windows and ventilation systems of enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited. Smoking also would be banned within 20 feet of restaurants’ outdoor serving sections.
Violators could be subject to a $1,000 fine.
“Health reasons are the main thing,” commission chairman B.C. Lewis said.
City officials will hold a public hearing to gauge public opinion on the proposed ban at 7 p.m. Oct. 11 at the city’s Civic Center.
Most of Petal’s aldermen say they’ll wait to hear public response before taking a stance on the proposed ban.
Ward 2 Alderman Steve Stringer indicated that he might not support the ordinance.
“I think when I go into a restaurant, that’s my choice,” he said.
On the other end of the spectrum, Ward 4 Alderman James Moore said such a ban would have his support.
“My main reason for supporting it will be a smoke-free workplace,” he said. “People say you have a choice about what restaurants to go to, but you might not find it so easy to find work somewhere else.”
At the city’s fast-food restaurants, smoking is already prohibited. But local eateries like Dandy Dan’s Diner on U.S. 11 near the Mississippi 42 junction are havens for smokers.
The proposed ordinance cites a number of reports cataloging the toll secondhand smoke can take on a nonsmoker’s health.
Petal Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Deborah Reynolds said the chamber hasn’t taken a stance on the issue, but she said she expects the group to reach a decision in October.
If Petal’s board approves the ordinance, it will become the second in the region to enact such a ban. The city of Hattiesburg became smoke-free on Jan. 1
