Abbeville council takes step to restrict smoking in city

The Abbeville City Council is looking into the development of an ordinance that would restrict smoking in certain areas.
The council voted 5-0 Tuesday during an ordinance committee meeting to move forward with a plan that would prohibit smoking in enclosed public places, which are any places that are open to the public, as well as within 20-feet of an entrance to a public building.
Ike Funderburk, the city’s attorney, explained that there are exceptions written into the potential ordinance.
“Bars are exempt,” Funderburk said.
Mayor Mark Piazza also pointed out an important portion of the potential ordinance as it relates to the 20-foot barrier. Areas within that range could be designated as smoking areas.
“There will be designated smoking areas,” Piazza said. “I think by adding that, it would encourage businesses to have establish designated areas, making it easier to enforce. You don’t want to have the lack of designated smoking areas leading to people throwing cigarette butts all over the sidewalk.”
That would be up to the particular business to determine that designated area.
The ordinance would also not affect residences.
“It does not impact you smoking in your own home,” Funderburk said, “unless of course your home is also a daycare center or something along those lines.”
Councilman Wayne Landry, District D, initially brought the topic to the council’s table in August.
“I don’t think this will have a huge effect on people,” Landry said. “I think a lot of places have some of this stuff in place.”
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr., District C, said he feels the ordinance could have a positive impact.
“I believe there is going to be a huge learning curve,” Broussard said. “This is not something that is going to happen overnight, or even a few months.
“The right to breath clean air overcomes the right to smoke.”
Landry agreed.
“I think it is going to benefit everybody in the long run, especially our kids,” he said.
Again, the ordinance has not been passed. The issue will have to go before a full council vote, which would follow a public hearing. The council has its next regularly scheduled meeting on Sept. 16.
“The proposed ordinance will be made available to the public for review,” Funderburk said. “We will have a comment section during the meeting to address any concerns the public may have.”
Councilman Francis Touchet Jr., District B, said he is not against the ordinance, but simply wants to make sure it is properly communicated to the public.
“The key to this is communication,” Touchet said. “I have to take this and communicate it to the businesses in my district.”
Touchet suggested sending a mailout fully explaining the ordinance to businesses. Funderburk said he can draft such a letter.
Even if passed, the mayor and council agreed that Jan. 1, 2015 would be an appropriate time for the law to go into effect.
“I think that is reasonable,” Piazza said.