Lexington Passes Stricter Smoking Ban

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Posted: 11:34 PM Nov 6, 2008
Last Updated: 12:19 AM Nov 7, 2008
Reporter: Janet Kim
Email Address: janet.kim@wkyt.com

24 comments

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Lexington council members voted unanimously in favor of a tougher smoking ban for the city. The decision comes after much debate.

Bingo halls, Blue Grass Airport, and public transportation, are a few places now added to the list of places where it's illegal to light up.

Blue Grass Airport has asked for an exception to the changes.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: kathy Location: lexington on Nov 14, 2008 at 06:57 PM
I think it's bullcrap that they can tell us where we can or cannot smoke,but you can buy alcohol any day of the week and possibly have an accident while drinking and driving and kill an innocent person or family.When are they gonna start controlling them?

Posted by: Stanley-Simmons Location: Lexington on Nov 10, 2008 at 10:23 PM
I thank GOD each day that I live in Lexington and that we have people on the council with the onions to put a stop to this nasty habit.

Posted by: steve on Nov 10, 2008 at 08:45 PM
I am a non smoker people but i tell you this country is turning communist right now in front of our eyes and if we do not stand up we are going to lose our freedoms i am telling you wake up America.

Posted by: Lori Location: Lexington on Nov 10, 2008 at 04:58 PM
This seems to be getting out of control. I have been a smoker & a non smoker. If you section area's off I do not see what the issue would be. It is to the point where you are treating it as if it is an illegal drug. They keep upping the taxes. I have one question to ask - how many times have you been pulled over for smoking too many cigarettes - lest get tougher on the alcohol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Brandi Location: Stanton on Nov 10, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Even though I am a non-smoker and do appreciate the fact that I can go into a restaurant without cigarette smoke being blown into my face or on my food - now that being said this is just completely ridiculous. Bingo halls?! Public transportation?! Wow. I'm just shocked at this. Just because I don't smoke doesn't mean that I should be able to tell someone where or when the can. I thought that was called the freedom of choice?

Posted by: TONI Location: KY on Nov 10, 2008 at 01:01 PM
I THINK THAT IF LEXINGTON DOES NOT WANT SMOKERS THEN THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SELL TOBACCO PRODUCTS IN LEXINGTON, WELL,PUT THAT IN YOUR PIPE & SMOKE IT.

Posted by: SmokinLady Location: Pikeville on Nov 10, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I have smoked for 10 years now and somedays it is the only thing that keeps me sane! I agree that if done right smoking areas would be affective, ,like instead of having a half partition in a restaurant, build a whole wall and box it in. I also think it should be up to business owners to decide if they want their business to be smoke free or not and then let their customers decide.

Posted by: Connie Location: KY on Nov 10, 2008 at 05:44 AM
I think there should be a lawsuit, like the one in Louisville. Louisville could not exempt Churchhill Downs & Lexington should not be allowed to exempt Keenland or any other public place. If it's a ban, then ban EVERY PUBLIC BUILDING or shut up about smoking all together! There should be no Exception! I'm a smoker, but fair is fair, why should Keenland or anyother place get special treatment. Could it be that some on the council is also on Keenland's payroll? That's what is sounds like. Someone needs to file suit to have it changed to all or no one, period. If it was illegal for Louisville, it's most certainly illegal for Lexington too!

Posted by: Kelly Location: KY on Nov 9, 2008 at 11:38 PM
To Anonymous Location: Lexington on Nov 7, 2008 at 05:46 PM - it's just as easy for you to go somewhere else as well.

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Nov 9, 2008 at 04:39 PM
It is crazy that they can do something like have a smoking ban but will allow you to buy alcohol on sundays. It is a two way street smokers wanna smoke, non-smokers don't want to be around it. But to tell me that i can't, makes me want to start smoking again. Smoking sections would work if done properly. Let people have a place to smoke if they choose to.

Posted by: Stanley-Simmons Location: Lexington on Nov 8, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Buy the clue, no one wants to inhale your nasty smoke!

Posted by: Joe Location: The W on Nov 8, 2008 at 11:10 PM
DC - we do not live in a democracy. We live in a representative Republic (4th grade civics). We, the people, elect other people to make decisions for us. These "speakers of the people" have simply forgotten who put them in their positions. Regrettably, the great unwashed masses don't remember the idiotic things the turkeys they elect do come election day. Tunnel vision sets in and the voter says, "Huh? Well, s*rew it - I'll just vote for the one that I voted for last time." Or, as we witnessed on the 4th - whoever offers the most free pie. We get exactly the type of government we deserve - because we elect them! If you don't like what they do - don't vote for them!

Posted by: Me Location: Lexington on Nov 8, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Wow Robin... You must be a smoker.

Posted by: c Location: fkt on Nov 8, 2008 at 09:31 AM
I'm glad I live in Frankfort. I will now travel to Louisville instead of Lexington to shop. If Lexington doesn't want my business, that's fine, I'll take it elsewhere! I agree with most of you, our freedoms are slowing being taken away. If you want to stop all this nonsense about smoking, then encourage your tobacco companies to once again to contribute to political campgains & it will all go away! The ONLY reason smoking is a hot topic, is because the politicans are not getting enough money from the companies. Let the alochol industry stop contributing & you'll see an all out war against that industry as well. As far as UK goes, I'll go elsewhere for medical treatment. I will do my part NOT to support this nonsense. I believe that some cities have nothing better to do than TRY to tell me what I can & cannot do with my own body! IT'S MY LIFE, LET ME LIVE IT! Go after the alocohol with the same bans, then we'll talk. Alocohol kills more people, yet it's not touch with such bans!

Posted by: Fred Location: Lexington on Nov 8, 2008 at 08:02 AM
Good point, DC, but as you can see from Tuesday, apparently Democracy is not what this country needs. We need government to step in and run things, because God knows, they only have OUR best interests at heart...

Posted by: catman Location: florida on Nov 8, 2008 at 06:42 AM
Smoking should be ban from all public areas

Posted by: Drew Location: Lex on Nov 7, 2008 at 06:01 PM
I respect people's rights, but don't expect me to support you when you light one up beside me. Non-smokers should have the right to not inhale the toxic fumes you put into your body. Having a "smoking" or "non-smoking" section of a business is about as effective as having a "peeing" and "non-peeing" section of the swimming pool! However, I do agree that it is shady business that Keeneland was not mentioned in this.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Lexington on Nov 7, 2008 at 05:46 PM
Boo hoo! Give me a break! You are making a choice to waste your $ on cigarettes and literally smoke away years of your life...far as I and many other people are concerned, you have no right exposing people with serious health problems, children, and people who would like to live a long healthy life to your carcinogenic smoke! It is much easier for you to take your bad habit elsewhere and let EVERYONE enjoy being in an environment with clean air! The laws that are put in place are for the protection of our community...for example, do you really think it is appropriate for drivers to travel 90 MPH b/c we should have the freedom/choice to do so?

Posted by: robin Location: lex on Nov 7, 2008 at 03:26 PM
one of the worlds first no smoking bans was put in place by hilter makes you think were the usa is heading towards

Posted by: Lisa Location: Lexington on Nov 7, 2008 at 03:08 PM
You know the next thing thats coming is no smoking in our cars. Lexington kills me, the government buildings in Lexington have more people standing outside them smoking then any other places, how nasty do they think that looks

Posted by: Freda Location: Lexington on Nov 7, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Direct Deposit, Seat Belt Laws, Now a more advanced smoking ban, what happened to freedom of choice?

Posted by: DC Location: Hazard on Nov 7, 2008 at 12:52 PM
In a democracy, the PEOPLE decide. Let the owner of an establishment decide if it is a smoking or non smoking business. Let people vote with their money.

Posted by: Stuart on Nov 7, 2008 at 11:42 AM
When you pass an anti-smoking law that prohibits smoking at KEENELAND, then I will know you are ACTUALLY SERIOUS. Funny how the lobbyists have the power to EXCLUDE their establishments from the ban. EITHER A TOTAL BAN OR NO BAN AT ALL!!!LAWMAKERS...Quit being HYPOCRITICAL!!

Posted by: Jason Location: Lexington on Nov 7, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Blue Grass Airport could tell the LFUCG to stuff it. The airport is owned by the federal government not LFUCG.

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 7, 2008 at 11:02 AM
I'm so happy...I mean thats fine that you want to smoke but when it harms me...thats not right. If you want to smoke do it on your own private property!

Posted by: Jesse Location: Lex on Nov 7, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Well here is another way to strip us of our rights and they say we live in a free country,, HA HA

Posted by: Donna Location: Paris on Nov 7, 2008 at 09:34 AM
They are gradually taking away our rights a little at a time. Pretty soon we will be no better than Russia. Prostest people. Your rights are involved.

Posted by: Chester Location: KY on Nov 7, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Smoke'em if you got'em!

Posted by: smoker Location: ky on Nov 7, 2008 at 07:07 AM
I think it is against people's rights. I don't tell people what to say or what to eat. I think it is my right to smoke when and where I want to. Yes there should be a smoking section and a nonsmoking section in public places. But don't tell me how to live my life. I don't judge people by their actions, for example anyone can go out and get an abortion. What about the rights of the unborn child??? People should be ashamed, what happened to freedom. Why are our men and women fighting a war, could it be for freedom????

Posted by: Willian A. on Nov 7, 2008 at 06:49 AM
Nothing to do in Lex. but put your nose's up some else's toot HUH.Beides you buy ciggs, that will actully burn any more.Why can't we get a law agianist idoit Democrats.Lexington sucks any way.I don't go there.

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