City leaders plan to vote on revised smoke ordinance

The Clarion-Ledger, 6/4/8

The Jackson City Council is moving forward with plans to vote on an ordinance that would expand the city’s 2003 smoking ordinance to include restaurants but exempt bars.

Ward 6 Councilman Marshand Crisler pushed for the exemption for bars, arguing banning smoking entirely would make Jackson a less enticing destination while city leaders are trying to encourage tourism and development.

“I don’t think the time is right to start banning everything when you are trying to rebuild the city,” he said.

At the same time, Crisler said prohibiting smoking in restaurants is appropriate.

Council President Leslie Burl McLemore, who opposes the revisions to the ordinance, agreed to place the item on the council’s June 17 agenda.