Meridian council to vote on smoking ban

MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) - Nearly five years after a former mayor vetoed Meridian's last no-smoking ordinance, the City Council is ready to try again.

The proposal is by Councilman Bobby Smith, who proposed the ordinance that passed in 2005 by a 3-2 vote. He says he and the city attorney based the proposal on Jackson's ordinance.

If enacted, it would prohibit smoking in all enclosed public places excluding stand-alone bars, and some outdoor areas.

During her campaign last year, Mayor Cheri Barry said she would not propose such an ordinance, but would not veto one, either.