Action on Smoking and Health A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions    Search  | Info About  | ash.org| To Join |  Email Page

Lexington, KY Goes Smoke Free [07/03-10]

Excerpts from: No-smoking ordinance passes in Lexington

By MURRAY EVANS Associated Press [07/02/03]
Lexington, whch has the nation's highest adult smoking rate, will ban smoking in most public buildings, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council decided yesterday.

By an 11-3 vote, the council enacted an ordinance that is the first of its kind in Kentucky. The ordinance, which will be enforced by the county health department, will take effect 90 days from the vote, which would be Sept. 29.

While smoking will be banned in most public buildings, the ban does not apply to private dwellings; rooms or halls used for private social functions; retail tobacco stores and tobacco warehouses; indoor smoking areas in government buildings; and facilities operated by private organizations.

This is an incredible day for Lexington," said Ellen Hahn, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky's College of Nursing who campaigned for the smoking ban. "To get 11 votes was really incredible. We need to protect our kids and protect our workers and protect our patrons."

Lexington is considered to be the hub of the burley tobacco belt, which has put the town's anti-smoking campaign on the national radar. Former Lexington Mayor and U.S. Representative Scotty Baesler said the vote is "another sign of the lack of influence of tobacco, even in tobacco country." He estimates there are 40,000 to 50,000 tobacco farmers, including himself, in the state.