Seymour debates no-smoking ordinance, based upon that of Columbus

The latest concern with a proposed no-smoking ordinance in Seymour is who would actually enforce the law if passed.

City officials discussed the issue at a common council meeting Monday night, but no ordinance was brought for a vote.

Councilwoman Mary Voss said she expected a first reading of the complete ordinance, which bans smoking in all public places, including workplaces and restaurants, to take place at the next meeting, 7 p.m. April 10 in council chambers at City Hall. The ordinance must pass two readings before it becomes law.

“We’re not going to vote on it tonight, but we have made some corrections and additions to the model we are using,” she said. That model is a copy of the ordinance recently adopted in Columbus.

The ordinance would prohibit smoking in elevators, restrooms, lobbies, reception areas, buses and taxis, service lines, retail stores, restaurants, public areas of libraries and museums, theaters, public agencies, hospitals and nursing homes and polling places.
It would not affect private homes except when used as a child care, adult day care or health care center, designated smoking rooms in hotels, retail tobacco stores, private clubs, bars and outdoor areas of places of employment.

“My only question right now is who do we want to enforce this,” she said.

Under current wording, the city’s code enforcer, Brent Goben, would be responsible for enforcing the ordinance, but Voss wasn’t sure if Columbus’ code enforcer had the same job description and duties as Goben.