Mayfield Smoking Ban Passes First Vote

Officials in Mayfield have given preliminary approval to a ban on smoking in public places.
 
The Paducah Sun reports the City Council voted 6-4 to pass the measure on Monday, but it requires a second vote before it is final.
 
Councilwoman Kathy O'Nan said she supports the ordinance, saying officials "need to be more progressive" in taking care of residents.
 
Councilman Johnny Jackson said the decision of whether to allow smoking should be left up to business owners.
 
Mayor Teresa Cantrell says the ordinance stems from a concern about the health effects of secondhand-smoke. She says it is modeled after an ordinance passed in Paducah in 2006 and has generally been well-received.

Cantrell said city officials had been considering an ordinance for several months, but waited to see if a statewide ban passed the legislature. That bill failed to make it out of committee.

The second reading of the ordinance is set for July 8, with a second vote afterwards. If it passes again, there would be a reasonable period for businesses to become compliant.