Local lawmakers talk statewide smoking ban

  
Tilley                              Dossett            Westerfield

A Kentucky House committee passed a public smoking ban ordinance last week and local lawmakers are divided on where they stand on the issue.

Representative John Tilley of Hopkinsville says a majority of the people he hears from are in favor of a ban in places such as restaurants and says the bill must be constructed to make good common sense.

State Senator Whitney Westerfield says he didn’t go to restaurants where smoking was allowed before the ban was instituted in Hopkinsville, but fears a ban on smoking puts Kentucky on a slippery slope on telling businesses what they can and can’t do.

Representative Myron Dossett echoed many of Westerfield’s thoughts and said the current version of the law could possibly make it illegal for a farmer to smoke in a barn—something he sees as nonsensical.

The measure’s next stop is a vote in the full house, though it will likely find more opposition in the state senate.

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02/11/2013/am