Franklin snuffs public smoking, beginning Aug. 1

Daily Journal of Johnson County

Smoking in public places except bars and private clubs will be banned in Franklin starting Aug. 1.

The city council voted 4-3 Monday night to adopt the regulation, which is similar to one that recently went into effect in Greenwood.

Under the ordinance, which was amended from an earlier, more restrictive version, smoking also won’t be allowed in city-owned vehi-cles.

Smoking will be permitted in bars, private clubs, tobacco stores and some hotel rooms. Outdoor seating areas in restaurants also will be smoke-free.

Under the ordinance, a bar is de-fined as a place whose primary purpose is the sale and consumption of alcohol that admits only those 21 and older.

Smokers can light up 10 feet away from places where smoking is prohib-ited.

As members debated the pros and cons of the proposal, council member Phil Barrow urged them to use their common sense in voting on the measure.

“I think this is a good ordinance, and I think that it’s fair,” Barrow said.

Council member Joe Ault said he voted against the measure because he is against the government intruding on people’s rights.

“It just didn’t feel right to me,” Ault said.

Joe Abban said he thought the measure was well-intentioned but didn’t think it was fair to businesses and restaurants.

The measure could mean a major change in businesses for independ-ently owned establishments, like Don and Dona’s, and could put them out of business, Abban said.

Council member Jeff Eggers also voted against the measure.