South Burlington, VT Bans Smoking in Bars and Restaurants [05/04-4]

Excerpts from: S. Burlington bans smoking

By Andy Netzel Burlington Free Press [05/04/04]

Smoking is banned in South Burlington's restaurants and bars.

The ban, which begins today, became law Monday night when the South Burlington City Council unanimously voted to adopt it.

South Burlington is the second city in Vermont to enact a smoking ban. A ban in Burlington began Saturday as new liquor licenses that ban smoking took effect.

Many owners and patrons of South Burlington bars asked the council to instead encourage a statewide ban even though either would harm businesses, said Barbara O'Brien, who owns Franny O's along with her husband Franny O'Brien.

State Reps. Helen Head and Ann Pugh, South Burlington Democrats, said a bill that would ban smoking in all Vermont public buildings has stalled in the Legislature. The bill is in the House's General, Housing and Military Affairs Committee, and has very little chance of making it to the floor for a vote.

The Williston Selectboard has been talking for months about a possible ban, and Winooski City Councilors asked the city manager Monday night to prepare an ordinance. The ordinance could be taken up as early as June, said Winooski City Councilor Katherine Picard.

Beginning today, if someone begins smoking inside a South Burlington restaurant or bar, owners will have the responsibility to ask that person to step outside or extinguish their cigarette, pipe or cigar. If they don't comply, the owner should call police, according to the ordinance.

This information is presented as a public service by:

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)
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