City Bans Smoking in Unlikeliest State

Yahoo! News ^ | Fri Jul 4, 7:30 AM ET | Reuters

[yonif]

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A smoking ban has been passed in the unlikely city of Lexington, Kentucky, the second-largest city in a leading tobacco-growing state that has the highest percentage of adult smokers in the United States.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council, following in the anti-smoking footsteps of much larger entities such as New York City and the state of California, voted 11-3 to prohibit smoking in public buildings, including racetracks, restaurants and bars.

Thirty-one percent of adult Kentuckians smoke, compared to 23 percent nationally, and the state is the second-leading tobacco producer after North Carolina.

Violators would be hit by a $100 fine for the first offense, escalating up to $500.

[Scenic Sounds]

Oh, dear-what will our states do when the money dries up??

Maybe then we'll have time to go after the churches. ;-)

[Mackey]

Let me see if I have this right-- in some 'dry' counties, even simple possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited?

[Conspiracy Guy]

There were 7 downings on Lake Michigan this weekend on a 2 mile stretch over a 2 hour period. Swimming and water must be banned. I am in full support of "Water Free America" and all they are doing to stop this madness.

[Kuksool]

{I have dealt with many on the council over various "real" issues (sewers, roads, land-use) and these people have a very distorted view of their importance.}

It looks like the Lexington city council wants to turn the city into a California enclave. The mayor and city council members ought to be either recalled or voted out of office during the next election.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw Lexington Mayor Teresa Isaac speaking at some Democratic Women's Forum on C-Span. She spoke of the need of using gov't powers to provide health care, education, and promote fairness for all. Teresa Isaac sounds like a grade-A socialist. I hope the good people of Lexington boots her out of office.

[toddst]

The mayor and city council members (of Lexington) ought to be either recalled or voted out of office during the next election.

10-4. Our mayor and council are out of touch with the citizens of Lexington. Virtually everyone I talk with about what the council & mayor have as their agenda wonder what planet they are on - not this one!

I and many other conservatives intend to work hard getting these clowns replaced at the earliest opportunity.

[packrat35]

Back in 1978 in Tate County, MS (about 40 miles south of Memphis, it was a $15 a can fine for beer, plus jail, bail, and other asorted expenses.