Council to revisit smoking ordinance

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The Mobile City Council is set to vote on a proposed new smoking ordinance that will make it a lot tougher for people to light up in the city.

Following the failure of a proposed smoking ban last month, Councilman John Williams is confident this latest draft, which is on Tuesday’s city council agenda, will pass.

"Any place where tax dollars maintains that space sidewalks, and streets, parks, that is the green spaces in our city, as well as out athletic facilities, all smoke free. So you can walk down the sidewalks of Mobile Alabama smoke-free," Williams said Saturday.

Williams is a co-sponsor of the new ordinance. He says the new version includes compromise.

"There is a good balance between making our city smoke free, and allowing people to make decisions, such as we are going to exempt bars from being a part of this ordinance," he said.

Williams said by allowing smoking in bars the city avoids pushing smokers on the streets.

There are also new guidelines for restaurants.

"What this ordinance provides, it is a time at the restaurants when they're completely smoke-free inside and out, and that means courtyards and decks as well," Williams said.

But there is a provision for smokers.

"It allows smokers to come a little later at 8 o'clock, and enjoy that outside time at their restaurant of choice that allows smoking," he said.