With the Town of Boone's new smoking ordinance in place, smoking habits could change, especially in the downtown area.
The ordinance, which took effect last week, was one of the first in the state after a new law gave local governments broader powers to regulate smoking. While the new state law primarily targeted restaurants and targeted punishment toward management, municipalities can place restrictions on smoking in and around a variety of public places.
"It wasn't to try to control people's behavior as much as it was to protect people from secondhand smoke," said Sam Furgiuele, Boone town attorney. "This is not the most restrictive ordinance the town could have adopted."
The ordinance emerged from months of committee work, with the town reviewing ordinance options even before the new state law came down the pipeline. The town ordinance augments the state ordinance, but Furgiuele said local ordinances can't undermine or diminish state restrictions.
The town ordinance bans smoking in virtually all public places and businesses, as well as town-owned property, parks, and vehicles. Exceptions include cigar bars and tobacco shops, private residences, private clubs, indoor public places and private vehicles.
See what local smokers are saying in Monday's edition of the Watauga Democrat. Have a comment on the new smoking laws? Email it to nicholson@wataugademocrat.com.