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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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Decatur, GA Adopts Ban on Indoor Smoking [04/20-2]
Excerpts from: Decatur adopts ban on indoor smoking
By Karen Hill Atlanta Journal-Constitution [04/20/04]
Smokers have one more year to light up in Decatur restaurants.
The city commission voted unanimously Monday night to ban smoking in all indoor public places and places of employment. But they agreed to phase in the ban in deference to restaurant owners afraid it will cost them customers.
Beginning July 1, smoking will be permitted in restaurants only after 9 p.m. On April 1, 2005, the ban takes effect.Currently, Decatur restaurants that serve alcohol must set aside half their seats for nonsmokers.
The vote makes Decatur the first of nine cities within DeKalb County to follow the county's lead in enacting a smoking ban. The county ban took effect in February 2003
Restaurant owners are widely credited for sparking Decatur's economic renaissance, luring visitors, and even new residents, to the downtown square. Several said they were afraid that a smoking ban would send customers to tobacco-friendly competitors in the nearby city of Atlanta.
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