Wednesday, July 26 2006
Frankfort, KY - The state capital became the latest Kentucky city to adopt a smoking ban when the city council narrowly approved a law on Monday that would require all public buildings to be smoke-free.
Mayor William May Jr. cast the deciding vote as the measure passed 3-2.
"I've been waiting 12 years for this," May said. "It's been a long road, and I applaud the efforts. Members of the community and visitors to Frankfort will benefit from this ordinance."
The city council had defeated a similar bill at their last meeting, when a proposal that would have limited the ban to health care facilities and places where children are allowed was beaten 3-2.
Frankfort joins several Kentucky cities - including Lexington, Louisville and Georgetown - to enact a smoking ban. In January, Daviess County banned smoking in all public buildings open to children under 18.
Commissioner Lynn Bowers, who voted against the ban, said she was concerned about the government's power extending too far.
"It's easy for the government to tell us what to do, but then where does it end," she said.
Source: LEX 18, as reported by The Associated Press
Published: July 27, 2006
