NORTH JEFFERSON COUNTY — The Jefferson County Health Department and several other organizations are encouraging municipalities to make the county 100-percent tobacco smoke-free by the year 2012.
The nonprofit organization American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation revealed the campaign at the Jefferson County Mayors Association meeting on Thursday, which Gardendale Mayor Othell Phillips and Fultondale Mayor Jim Lowery attended.
Gardendale passed an ordinance several years ago banning smoking in any property that is used by the city’s general public, including parks, city buildings and vehicles, and businesses. Violating the ordinance means a misdemeanor charge and a $25 fine.
“Health studies have shown that smoking increases chances for heart attacks, cancer and lung disease. The ordinance was passed to protect our citizens and children from the dangers of exposure to second-hand smoke, and to promote a smoke-free society. The smoking ordinance is self-explanatory and I am fully in support of it,” said Phillips.
Fultondale has a ban on smoking in government-owned buildings, such as Fultondale City Hall.
“It hasn’t really been an issue,” said Fultondale Mayor Jim Lowery. “Over 90 percent of anything we have is smoke-free... most of our new restaurants came that way.”
Lowery said he doesn’t believe much is being done in the county to enforce the ordinances.
“I feel like this is a state issue,” he said. “I don’t like that there’s a different ordinance in every city.”
Homefield Bar and Grill is one of the few businesses in Fultondale that allows smoking on its premises.
“We’re about the only place where you can have lunch and a cigarette,” said Jeremy Douglas, Homefield’s general manager. “A ban would definitely hurt our business.” He said Homefield has both smoking and non-smoking customers.
Douglas also said he feels laws against smoking are a violation of individual rights.
“It shouldn’t be state law to dictate how I run my business,” he said.
Two anti-smoking bills were killed by state law-makers this year, so the anti-smoking organizations will have to encourage communities to adopt ordinances individually, according to Jennifer Cofer, vice president of public policy for the American Lung Association of Alabama and Mississippi. That organization is also part of the Jefferson County Health Action Partnership, which is turn is associated with the county health department.
“Everyone has a right to a smoke-free environment,” said Cofer. “Many communities have taken action against smoking, and we believe that’s going to have a domino effect.”
The town of Kimberly’s only smoking ordinance prohibits smoking within 20 feet of town hall. The town of Morris doesn’t allow smoking inside of its town hall, but there is a dedicated smoking area on the property.