Committee votes to amend Jackson ban on smoking

The Clarion-Ledger, 3/25/8

Jackson City Council members plan to vote in two weeks on a proposed citywide smoking ban amended to abandon a smoke-free goal in a compromise aimed at appeasing business concerns.

The council planning committee voted Monday to amend several sections of the proposed ban to allow for smoking in stand-alone bars as well as restaurants with attached bars as long as ventilation systems are in place.

Committee members approved the changes on a 2-1 vote, with Ward 1 Councilman Jeff Weill and Ward 7 Councilwoman Margaret Barrett-Simon in favor of the compromise ordinance.