Politics & Government
Lafayette City Council Approves Tougher Smoking Restrictions
Smoking is now banned in multi-family housing projects, public places and public events
The Lafayette City Council has added more restrictions to the anti-smoking laws that already exist in town.
The council voted 5-0 to adopt the regulations after a public hearing on Monday night.
The new ordinance prohibits smoking in more areas of the city, including multi-family housing projects, outdoor public areas, public events and outdoor dining areas.
Several last-minute additions were made by city staff at the suggestion of county officials.
The new ordinance will allow smoking in designated areas of public places. In addition, people who currently live in multi-family facilities would not be affected by the ordinance. The regulations would kick in when new tenants moved in.
Lafayette resident Tom Black said the regulations were "long overdue."
"I think what we can do as a community to restrict tobacco is to be applauded," he said.
However, Black said he disagreed with the provision that exempts current tenants from the prohibition. He favored an across-the-board ban against tenants in multi-family dwellings.
Heather Oliver, an apartment dweller in Lafayette the past three years, said she has suffered health problems from a smoker who lives beneath her unit.
She agreed with Black that current tenants should not be exempt from the new law.
"I don't think this goes far enough," she said.
Lafayette resident Jim Wardy said he objects to smoking and agrees with the health-related concerns.
However, he said he was concerned about local government intruding into people's lives.
"I just wonder how far this is going to go," he said.
He pointed out smoking is still legal under state and federal laws.
Councilman Brant Andersson said the regulations are a "balancing act" between protecting the public health and respecting individual rights.
He noted smoking is not banned in single-family homes. The ordinance, he said, bans smoking in multi-family facilities because it affects people other than the smoker.
His comments were echoed by other members of the council.
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