Changes To Montgomery’s Smoking Ordinance Could Come, Public Opinion Needed
Montgomery city leaders are considering changing the smoking ordinance. Now the question is, will Montgomery become the latest Alabama city to go smoke-free?
Pretty soon, the Montgomery city council could be at city hall modifying the city’s smoking ordinance, meaning restaurants may have to choose whether to be totally smoke free.
It’s a decision that could change the way you dine. The Montgomery city council is revisiting its smoking ordinance. It currently says eating establishments must choose to be either smoking or non-smoking — if they’re both, they must have the proper ventilation.
But that could change.
Councilman, Charles Jinright, says he and other council members have discussed removing the ventilation part of the ordinance.
“Every business is fair. It’s on a level playing field. Nobody is having to deal with the question,” Said Jinright when we asked why they were changing the ordinance.
But the changes to the ordinance could hurt some businesses. Sinclair’s restaurant off Vaughn Road has a split ventilation system tor smokers and non-smokers.
“It would definitely affect us,” Said Chrissy Ward, Sinclair’s manager. “We have a lot of loyal clientele frequent here just because they have the option of smoking.”
How close smokers can be to the entryway is also up for discussion.
“In ours, we’ll have some kind of deviation so far from the front door. I don’t know what exactly that front door thing is going to be but I think its going to be 7 ft. or something like that but you wont be able to smoke,” Said Jinright.
Not everyone is happy about the proposed changes. Some people think the city should keep the ordinance as is so anyone can dine anywhere.
“The thing about it is is you can go down town and walk around the side walk and up and down the street with a beer in your hand but you can’t smoke?” Said Montgomery resident, Bill Schultz.
Others say the smoking ordinance should be modified. Some restaurant owners have already made their entire establishments smoke-free.
“Well you know, I’m not trying to infringe on their rights, we’re just trying to infringe that we have clean air for everybody,” Said Mr. Gus’ Ristorante Owner, Dimitri Polizos.
The specifics of this ordinance are still in discussion because the city wants your opinion, too. Changes in the ordinance are scheduled to come before the council on November 4 at city hall. City council members tell us they hope to vote on changes to the smoking ordinance on November 18.
