A proposed ban on public smoking in Peachtree City, that would also

affect restaurants and bars, will be hashed out tonight in a committee

meeting at City Hall starting at 6 p.m.

The ordinance is expected

to draw some flak as it also targets banning smoking in retail stores,

public areas in buildings run by businesses

and nonprofit entities. The ordinance, available at the city's Web

site, www.peachtree-city.org, also proposes to forbid smoking outdoors

within 25 feet of any enclosed buildings "to insure that tobacco

smoke does not enter the area through entrances, windows, ventilation

systems or other means."

The ordinance exempts private homes, hotel and motel rooms designated

as smoking rooms, retail tobacco stores, special smoking rooms in nursing

homes and long-term care facilities and outdoor areas of employment.

Cyndy Zombik, owner of the

Hangar 74 bar and restaurant, said if Peachtree City passed such an

ordinance, it would dramatically reduce their business,

with patrons choosing to go to Coweta County and other areas where there

aren't any smoking bans.

"I feel like it would hurt Peachtree City as well as my business," Zombik

said, adding that it would reduce the city's tax revenues from the

establishment. "I think it'll hurt a lot."

A petition opposing the ordinance has been signed by 173 patrons of

Hangar 74 since Saturday, Zombik said.

Zombik added thata if the

ban was statewide, she wouldn't have

any problem with it.

Hangar 74 has an air purifying system to reduce the odor from smoking,

and Zombik wants to upgrade the system with two new units that were recently

demonstrated for a couple of weeks with great results.

But the new units won't be purchased until Zombik knows whether

or not they'll be necessary, she said.

A representative of Hangar

74 will be at tonight's meeting, Zombik

added.

Home | News | Sports | Opinion | Weekend | Special Sections | Classifieds | Archives

Copyright 2004-Fayette Publishing, Inc.