Asheville News

City of Asheville considering all-encompassing smoking ban

Jason Sandford August 9, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

Fresh on the heels of Buncombe County commissioners voting to ban smoking in all county facilities and on all county-owned property, the city of Asheville is exploring the same option. Asheville City Council will take up the discussion in its meeting on Tuesday. This all follows a bill approved by the N.C. Legislature this year.

Council’s agenda item:

Previously, local governments could regulate smoking in government buildings, but this authority did not extend to parks or other public spaces. The new law extends the local government authority to regulate smoking to “grounds,” encompassing unenclosed areas owned or leased by the government, and “public places,” meaning places to which the public is invited.

The new law is not effective until January 2, 2010, but Council should begin consideration of how and where it wishes to apply this regulatory authority. Issues that Council may wish to consider and provide direction on include:

• Whether to apply a prohibition to all City facilities and grounds

• Whether to apply a prohibition to other public places

• How the regulations will be enforced.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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No. Way. Waaaay.

4 Comments

Sean August 10, 2009

Whatever you say, dude. I think that the SHS thing has been researched fairly well, and the results, are, shall we say, less than supportive of your opinion.

My point was this……if outdoor smoking can be banned because you don’t like it, what if outdoor drinking was on the chopping block? It’s a slippery slope. I’m a smoker and do not have a bit of problems with its regulation…..to a point. I don’t stand right outside of doors, and if non-smokers are about, I walk to an area away from people. That’s just being considerate.

Having a designated smoking area in city-owned grounds and parks will hurt nothing, and would be supported by smoker and non-smokers alike. An all-out ban is ridiculous.

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LovesAsheville August 10, 2009

Alcohol is only a danger to others if you drink, get in a car, drive and hit someone.

Second-hand cigarette smoke causes more cancers than first-hand.

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Sean August 10, 2009

I find it ironic that those who rant and rave against folks smoking in public are the same ones that fully support alcohol being sold and consumed at every city-sponsored and privately supported special event in downtown Asheville.

While I fully appreciate that tobacco causes helath problems across the country, to ignore the fact that alcohol also causes numerous deaths and hospitalizations every day is, at the least, irresponsible.

It troubles me that it is so popular to outlaw something that is perfectly legal to consume for adults. It makes me wonder if the same folks who support these bans will re-think their decisions when marijuana is legalized……

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Lung cancer kills August 10, 2009

Smoking should be outlawed from the city including those nasty cigars.

My dad smokes cigars and claims he does not inhale. BS, what about his grandchild in the same room or a bystander on the street.

Don’t share your cancer by exhaling in my space, it is a threat on my life.

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