Gadsden, Ala. Tables Smoking Ban

Yesterday, the Gadsden City Council tabled a proposed smoking ban. The move came after Council President Robert Echols asked for all those supporting the ban to stand, they were outnumbered by the sitting opposition.

The proposed legislation would have banned smoking in all public areas open to the public including restaurants, bars, lounges, hotels, private clubs and others. New regulations would have all been applied to patios and other outdoor areas.

Cigar shops and private residences were the only two explicit exemptions to the proposed rules, which would have seen fines ranging from $50-500.

For now, the Public Safety Committee will be tasked with making changes. The City Council expected to vote on the matter today at its first reading.

Gadsden is located in the northeastern part of the state, roughly 50 miles northeast of Birmingham. It has a population over 35,000 and is the county seat of Etowah County.