KHI NEWS SERVICE
NEWTON, Nov. 14
The Newton City Council on Tuesday approved a broad ordinance that bans smoking in all public places and workplaces in the city.
The ban, which was approved, 5-0, by the council, includes restaurants, bars, private clubs, and all hotel rooms. It also prohibits smoking within a 20 feet radius of doors into those businesses, and within 20 feet of vendors at outdoor festivals.
“It covers pretty much everything,” said Erin McDaniel, spokeswoman for the city.
The law will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2008.
Newton is the third city in Harvey County to adopt a ban. The Harvey County Council of Governments, which includes county officials, mayors and staff from each of the seven cities, has set the goal of enacting a border-to-border ban covering the entire county and each city within it. Walton and Hesston, have already passed such ordinances.
The city of North Newton discussed their ordinance at a Monday city council meeting and will consider it again on Dec. 10, said Sher Klassen Neufeld, the city clerk.
Newton is the
23rd Kansas city
to adopt smoking restrictions. Johnson and Harvey counties have adopted county-wide smoking restrictions for the unincorporated areas of those counties.