“I have one thing to say about the no smoking ban in Opelika. The City of Opelika can kiss my…”
Opelika – Smoking Ban
Business owners no longer have complete freedom to operate their business as they choose. In addition to dictating smoking policy the city council has drafted business owner/managers to be “smoke police” or face fines if they don’t enforce the smoking ban. Mayor Fuller’s comment about a healthier community says it all, the council behaved like hungry bass swallowing the banter of anti-tobacco representatives hook, line and sinker. Council members obviously failed in their duty to verify information. There is no irrefutable proof that second hand smoke is harmful, unlike documented cases of harm from smoking bans.
Roger S.
Forces Alabama
Forces Alabama
The Auburn Plainsman
Opelika passes new smoking ban in public buildings
By Amanda Perry – Staff Writer – June 08, 2006
Opelika passes new smoking ban in public buildings
By Amanda Perry – Staff Writer – June 08, 2006
Walking into a restaurant and telling the hostess “smoking” or “non-smoking” is a thing of the past in Opelika. The same can be said for Auburn by August 2007.Almost all public places in Opelika went non-smoking on May 27.
Auburn City Council approved a similar law in 2002, but it will not be adopted until Aug. 1, 2007. Initially, Auburn’s ban was supposed to begin on the same date in 2005, but the council later decided the ban’s start date would get pushed back. Now there is talk of Auburn’s ban going into effect earlier than the previously decided start date.
Auburn City Council approved a similar law in 2002, but it will not be adopted until Aug. 1, 2007. Initially, Auburn’s ban was supposed to begin on the same date in 2005, but the council later decided the ban’s start date would get pushed back. Now there is talk of Auburn’s ban going into effect earlier than the previously decided start date.
Opelika passed the non-smoking ordinance in February, and it took only 90 days to go into effect in the city. Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller said he is pleased with the new law. “I’m proud of Opelika for being the first city in this part of the state to enact a strong non-smoking ordinance,” he said. “I commend the City Council for making it effective right away. We’ll be a better community — and healthier, too — because of this proactive position,” Fuller said.
Opelika’s ban applies to all enclosed facilities within places of employment including common work areas, classrooms, auditoriums, private offices, elevators, hallways, medical facilities, cafeterias, employee lounges, stairs, restrooms, vehicles and conference and meeting rooms.
Smokers can still light up in bars where food sales are less than 25 percent of gross receipts. They can also smoke in private residences, designated smoking hotel or motel rooms, private clubs, retail tobacco stores, semi-private and private rooms in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Smokers can also walk outside of their favorite restaurant or other non-smoking establishment for a cigarette break, as long as they keep a distance of 10 feet from any entrances, exits or windows of the building.
Smokers can still light up in bars where food sales are less than 25 percent of gross receipts. They can also smoke in private residences, designated smoking hotel or motel rooms, private clubs, retail tobacco stores, semi-private and private rooms in nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Smokers can also walk outside of their favorite restaurant or other non-smoking establishment for a cigarette break, as long as they keep a distance of 10 feet from any entrances, exits or windows of the building.
Owners and managers are responsible for enforcing the law and will be fined if they choose not to. During a 12-month period, the first violation for owners will cost $100, the second $200 and $500 for the third and each violation after that. The person caught smoking will be guilty of a misdemeanor and can be fined up to $50.
Stephen Wright, the proprietor of Outback Steakhouse in Opelika, said he hasn’t had any complaints from customers. He said approximately 90 percent of customers asked for the non-smoking section before the ban. Wright admits while there hasn’t been a noticeable change in the amount of business he’s been having since the ban, it still may have driven some customers to Auburn. “My only complaint is that I wish Auburn and Opelika would have done it at the same time,” Wright said. Wright does believe the change is absolutely for the better.
Opelika Smoking Ban Starts Saturday
May 27, 2006
Brock Parker
Brock Parker
For smoker Johnny Lauderdale, Friday is the last day he can smoke in an Opelika restaurant. Needless to say, he’s not happy about it.
“I have one thing to say about the no smoking ban in Opelika. The City of Opelika can kiss my…”
Instead of finishing his sentence, Lauderdale holds up a cigarette butt to illustrate his point. The new smoking ban goes into effect this weekend, and smokers will find themselves lighting up 10 feet away from building entrances. That is, unless it’s a bar or pub with less than 25 percent of their income made up from food sales.
“I believe the vote was five to nothing, and there was very little resistance from smokers, or from restaurant or bar owners. Apparently this is something a lot of folks are looking forward to,” said Gary Fuller, Opelika mayor.
One smoker says he should’ve fought harder.
“I don’t particularly like it, but when they passed the ordinance, there wasn’t none of us down there. We’re either going to live with it or go home,” said Buddy Johnston.
The ordinance also does away with ashtrays in businesses. Fines up to $500 can be issued for those offenses, and people who still smoke in prohibited places will be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $50. Matthew Moss said businesses should protect their customers.
“I believe they should still let their patrons smoke inside and pay the fines, which happens in a lot of bigger cities,” Moss said.
Some business owners say before they close their doors Friday night, “no smoking” signs will go up in their windows. Auburn has also enacted a smoking ban, but as of now, it won’t take effect until August, 2007. Last year, Columbus banned smoking as well.
