Gulfport Update
Gulfport council passes smoking ban ordinance
March 19, 2008
GULFPORT — The Gulfport City Council has adopted an ordinance to ban smoking in restaurants, offices and most other public places.
The council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to adopt the ordinance.
The smoking ban applies to all restaurants, even those inside a casino. Gaming areas and adjoining space inside a casino will be exempt from the new ordinance. While bars are exempt, combination restaurant-bars must adhere to the new ordinance.
Smokers who violate the ordinance can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $100. Business owners who don’t comply face fines up to $500.
The new ordinance takes effect on May 1.
Gulfport law would ban smoking in most places
December 22, 2007
City leaders are considering a new law that could make it very tough to puff in this town.
Business owners nervous about the economic aftermath of a proposed citywide ban on smoking will get their first chance to speak out next month at a City Council hearing.
According to an early seven-page draft of the smoking law, the city would outlaw smoking just about everywhere. Smoking would be illegal at places of employment, including employee lounges or any enclosed area.
The new ordinance, proposed by Councilman Brian Carriere, includes bars, restaurants, taxicabs and private offices.
To smoke at work, smokers would have to walk at least 20 feet from the building’s entrance.
The law would make it illegal to have a smoke even in some outdoor areas, including covered areas and seating areas of outdoor sports arenas and venues.
Smoking would still be allowed in up to 20 percent of all rooms rented at bed and breakfast facilities and hotels and motels. The new law would not affect casinos located in the city’s gaming district.
Carriere was unavailable by phone this week because of the birth of his son and it’s too early to tell how the rest of the City Council feels about the proposed ban on smokes.
Advocates of tougher anti-smoking laws, such as the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, are expected to support Carriere’s push.
However, bar and restaurant owners could mount a campaign against the proposal for fear of what the smoke-out could do to their bottom line.
If you go
When: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3
When: 5:30 p.m. Jan. 3
Where: City Council chambers at City Hall.
Copies of the proposed ordinance are available at City Hall.
