By Jim Cummings, Greensburg Daily News managing Editor
jim.cummings@greensburgdailynews
Smoke ‘em while you still can.
The Greensburg City Council took its first official action Monday toward implementing a no smoking ban for public places within the city limits. The new, apparently soon-to-be, law is dubbed Ordinance 2006-9. A companion ordinance dealing with enforcement was also passed.
The approval was the first of three separate votes necessary to get the law enacted. The Council could vote for its approval twice in the July session and the ordinance, as written, would take effect 90 days later.
The ban restricts smoking at restaurants, retail stores, movie theaters, sports arenas, public meeting areas and private functions held in public places.
Not included in the ordinance, thus far, are bars, residences unless used as day care or health facilities, nursing homes with consent, 25 percent of hotel rooms and private clubs.
The last exempt entity, private clubs, may be added to the smoking ban list. If so, establishments like the Eagles, K of C, VFW and others would have to restrict smoking as well. The members promised to look into whether those clubs will be added to the list and will report back in July.
The Council opened the floor for discussion and a handful of area residents had their say about the ordinance. A good mix of the for and against segment of the population was present.
“I’m very concerned about you legislating what private property owners should be able to discern themselves,” said Gene McCoy a non-smoker. “It’s our (the consumer’s) choice whether we go into a place which allows smoking. It is entirely wrong for an elected body to make that decision for us. It should be our choice as American citizens.”
Bud Ryle, an ex-smoker, was on the other side of the ashtray.
“People are missing the point. We are not telling them not to smoke, just not to smoke in a public place,” he said. “The cost of healthcare is skyrocketing and something needs to be done. People say they don’t like government interference but Big Brother is in every phase of our lives. What if government wasn’t there for us all of the times it needed to intercede? Where would we be then?”
The first vote, on both ordinances passed by a 4-1 vote. Member Gary Herbert was the lone dissented. When asked for his vote he said “Absolutely not."