Subscribe to Cigar Rights of America RSS feeds and get the most up-to-date cigar-related legislative news for Alabama. http://www.cigarrights.org/xml/news/news_AL.xml http://www.cigarrights.org/favicon.ico http://www.cigarrights.org/images/CRA08small.jpg en-us COLBERT COUNTY, APR 20 - County commissioners have agreed to allow courthouse employees to vote on whether smoking will be allowed directly outside the building in downtown Tuscumbia. Voting results will not be binding, Colbert County Administrator Donna Llewellyn said. "(Commissioners) want to know how everybody feels about it," she said. Smoking is not allowed inside the building, but when smokers gather outside the Colbert County courthouse entrances to take a cigarette break, fumes waft inside, much to the dismay of non-smokers. http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20090420/ARTICLES/904205017/1011/NEWS Mon, 20 Apr 2009 7:38 -0800 Alabama APR 4 - A state anti-smoking bill that some have been trying to vote through the Alabama Legislature for nearly 11 years seems to have been stalled again. State Sen. Vivian Figures (D-Mobile) pulled the bill from Senate consideration Thursday after what she said were attempts to “gut the bill.” Figures was upset with amendments that were being added to the bill that led to multiple exemptions to the proposed anti-smoking legislation. “Sen. Figures felt it was better to pull the bill for right now and regroup,” State Sen. Hank Erwin said. Erwin is a co-sponsor of the bill and has been a strong supporter of the legislation that would have prohibited smoking from all public places in the state. http://www.clantonadvertiser.com/news/2009/apr/04/no-smoking-bill-delayed-again/ Sat, 4 Apr 2009 17:13 -0800 Alabama APR 1 - The citywide smoking ban is now in effect in Fort Payne. All restaurants are now non-smoking but the seven-page ban allows businesses other than restaurants the option of allowing smoking with the application of a waiver. Each business is required to clearly post signs at all entrances declaring it is a smoking or non-smoking business. There has been no discussion on the specifics of the waiver process. The law bans smoking at all city facilities, buildings and vehicles and creates a 20-feet smoke-free barrier surrounding any city facility. http://times-journal.com/story.lasso?ewcd=8cb7b6d548ce7ebe Wed, 1 Apr 2009 11:08 -0800 Alabama Efforts to loosen Decatur’s ban on smoking in public places appear to be slowing as the matter moves to a review committee this week. Proposed by Councilman Gary Hammon, amendments to the city’s 2-year-old smoking ordinance would rescind language that bans smoking in bars and restaurants. When he pitched the plan more than two weeks ago, Hammon called for an up-or-down vote by Oct. 19, saying he did not want to drag out the controversial issue. http://decaturdaily.com/detail/46398.html Oct 28 2009 11:08 -0800 Alabama TUSCUMBIA, AL (WAFF) - In the Shoals, going smoke-free is the new trend. Recently, the city of Florence started a smoking ban for restaurants and parks. Now, the outside of a county building might go smoke-free, too. Finding a place to light up a cigarette is becoming harder and harder in the Shoals. The next place that might go smoke-free is the outside of the Colbert County Courthouse. http://www.waff.com/global/story.asp?s=11356248 Oct 21 2009 11:08 -0800 Alabama One Colbert County commissioner is ready to move forward with a request from county employees to ban smoking around the courthouse. Courthouse employees voted 38-24 to ban smoking within 50 feet of any courthouse door after some complained about cigarette smoke drifting inside the building. There are about 200 employees who work in the courthouse. Commissioner Rex Burleson said he is ready to move forward with the smoking ban. The topic could come up for discussion at today’s commission meeting. http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20091020/news/910209997&tc=yahoo Oct 20 2009 11:08 -0800 Alabama MOBILE, Ala. -- A nonsmoking revolution is under way in downtown Mobile, led by new upscale hotels and restaurants that are trying to attract customers who don't want to go home smelling like an ashtray. Health officials said they're hoping the trend adds momentum to efforts to pass a citywide ban on smoking in public places. http://blog.al.com/live/2010/01/mobile_hotels_and_restaurants.html 18 Jan 2010 11:11 -0800 Alabama MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- A proposal to ban smoking in Alabama restaurants failed after the state House did not vote on it Thursday, the last day of the 2010 regular legislative session. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, said she tried to get the bill on a list of measures to be considered by the House but was unsuccessful. The longtime smoking-ban proponent said she plans to try again next year. http://blog.al.com/live/2010/04/ban_on_smoking_in_alabama_rest.html 23 Apr 2010 11:11 -0800 Alabama MOBILE, Ala. -- No one showed up at a three-hour hearing Friday to speak against proposed changes to how Mobile County Health Department inspectors score restaurants and bars where smoking is permitted. At least half a dozen others, including three doctors, spoke out about the dangers of secondhand smoke at the public meeting. http://blog.al.com/live/2010/05/full_report_mobile_health_depa.html 1 May 2010 11:11 -0800 Alabama Mobile, AL (Vocus/PRWEB ) April 30, 2010 -- When a county health department conducts a restaurant inspection, should it deduct points if the restaurant allows smoking on the premises? No, says the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association. The Mobile County Health Department is considering a plan to automatically deduct four points from the health rating of any restaurant where smoking is permitted. A separate proposal under consideration is the placing of a decal on the front door of any restaurant that allows smoking. The sticker would warn patrons about the so-called dangers of secondhand smoke. http://www.prweb.com/releases/IPCPR/Health-inspector-dining/prweb3944914.htm 30 Apr 2010 11:11 -0800 Alabama Breathing easier and looking better were on the minds of Albertville leaders Monday night at the city council’s work session. City leaders discussed a citywide smoking ban and tightening an ordinance allowing businesses to sell products outside of their establishments. Mayor Lindsey Lyons is pushing to tighten an ordinance dealing with the selling of merchandise in front of businesses. Lyons wants to allow the city to have more control over what business owners can sell and display in front of their stores. “We have absolutely no control right now over what anybody can display,” Lyons said. “We have absolutely no control and that’s just unacceptable.” http://sandmountainreporter.com/story.lasso?ewcd=af23a5ce10c84eab 15 May 2010 11:11 -0800 Alabama VIDEO INCLUDED. From the CBS 8 South Alabama Newsroom -- Greenville mayor, Dexter McLendon, says he was hoping the statewide smoking ban would pass but he says after it didn't, the city will now look in to possibly passing their own ordinance. McLendon says most of the city council supports a smoking ban. He says if it were to pass in the city of Greenville, it would only ban smoking inside restaurants, not bars. Some residents say they don't see a problem with smoking indoors but others say they hope the ban comes to fruition. http://www.waka.com/news/south-alabama-news/2517-covering-greenville-smoking-ban.html 15 May 2010 11:11 -0800 Alabama MOBILE COUNTY, Alabama (WALA) - New regulations on smoking in restaurants go into effect Friday October 1. If you serve food in your establishment and allow smoking, four points will be deducted from the inspection score. Wintzell's downtown is one of many spots that have already jumped on the no smoking train. Russell Mauceri has been shucking oysters for five-years in the seafood restaurant. He said he is excited about the new rules. http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/local_news/mobile_county/new-secondhand-smoke-regulations-for-food-establishments 30 Sep 2010 11:11 -0800 Alabama From the recent article about the teacher trying to get smoking banned in restaurants, I really think it should be up to the owners to allow smoking or not in their establishments. If I was a non-smoker and I knew a restaurant was a “smoking” restaurant, I would not go there. It is as simple as that. Let the ones who own the restaurants determine if they will allow smoking. http://annistonstar.com/bookmark/10526251-Making-smoking-policies 4 Dec 2010 11:11 -0800 Alabama The majority of speakers during a Nov. 9 public hearing said they would be against a citywide smoking ban in public places in Pelham, and urged the Pelham City Council to carefully study the matter before deciding if it will act on the issue. During the public hearing, which was held at the Pelham Civic Complex and drew about 25 Pelham residents and business owners, five speakers said they would oppose a smoking ban in all public places in the city, and three said they would be in favor of a ban or an ordinance limiting tobacco use in public places. http://www.shelbycountyreporter.com/2010/11/09/most-speakers-say-no-to-pelham-smoking-ban-during-hearing/ 9 Nov 2010 11:11 -0800 Alabama The Fairfield City Council tonight delayed a vote on a measure to exempt some private clubs and organizations in the city from what is considered the county's toughest anti-smoking ordinance. Council members heard brief arguments from both supporters and opponents of the exemption, but tabled it because Councilman F.D. Scott, who had it placed on the agenda, was absent. Fairfield passed the ban in 2006. It bans smoking in public places and in private clubs and restaurants. http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/01/fairfield_city_council_delays.html 18 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama HUNTSVILLE, AL - The American Cancer Society is igniting a new campaign to snuff out smoking in Alabama's workplaces. Officials with the nonprofit group say they are hopeful the Legislature, after years of talk, will finally outlaw smoking inside restaurants, bars and other places of employment. "This is not a (smoker's) rights issue, it's a public health issue," Diane Peeples, with the cancer society's Huntsville office, said Wednesday. "You can smoke, but I don't want you to smoke where I am, where my children are, where my grandchildren are. http://blog.al.com/breaking/2011/02/the_american_cancer_society_ho.html 12 Feb 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama MONTGOMERY — One thing hasn't changed at the Alabama Legislature since it switched from Democratic control to Republican control. That's concern about legislation that would ban smoking in all public places. Republican Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin of Pelham has been trying to restrict smoking for several years without success. She ran into trouble again Wednesday with a bill in the House Health Committee to ban smoking in all public places. http://annistonstar.com/view/full_story/12466270/article-Smoking-ban-bill-stalls-in-Alabama-House-committee?instance=breakingnews 23 Mar 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama The Republicans who control the Alabama Legislature like to brag about how fast they can pass bills they believe are important to Alabamians. Where one issue is concerned, they're no better than the Democrats who preceded them. Since the start of the session in March, a strong bill sponsored by Rep. Mary Sue McClurkin, R-Indian Spring, that would regulate tobacco use and cigarette smoking has awaited action in the House. Then in April, state Sen. Vivian Figures, D-Mobile, dropped a nearly identical bill in the Senate. http://blog.al.com/birmingham-news-commentary/2011/05/our_view_alabama_legislature_d.html 21 May 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama MOBILE, Alabama -- As debate about smoking in public swells, city leaders have called a meeting seeking input regarding a potential smoking ban in Mobile . A hearing is set for 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Mobile Government Plaza auditorium to give people 3 minutes each to say their piece on how the city should proceed on the matter of smoking tobacco in public places. http://blog.al.com/live/2011/07/mobile_city_council_seeks_publ.html 7 Jul 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama FULTONDALE, Alabama -- The Fultondale City Council adopted tonight what is being called the strongest smoking ordinance in Jefferson County. Effective Sept. 1, the ordinance prohibits smoking in all enclosed public places in the city, including all workplaces, private clubs and bars. http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/07/fultondale_passes_gold_standar.html 11 Jul 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama After claiming a victory this week in Fultondale, the Jefferson County Health Action Partnership wants a "no exception" smoking ordinance adopted in every Jefferson County city. That means smoking would be prohibited in all enclosed public places, including private clubs, bars and workplaces -- even work vehicles. Many outdoor public places are included as well, such as construction sites and the common areas of apartment buildings. As for enclosed residential facilities, smoking would be prohibited in all nursing home rooms and all hotel and motel rooms. http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/07/partnership_wants_no_exception.html 16 Jul 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama JASPER, Ala. (WIAT) - Jasper city council is considering a smoke ban ordinance. If passed, Jasper would join a few other cities in the state with similar bans already on the books. Public smoking bans are becoming more popular across the Birmingham metro area. http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Jasper-Smoke-Ban-Proposal/KokHv-e0xkGNKbTzf57-TA.cspx?rss=1659 23 Sep 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama Jasper bar owners are asking members of the Jasper City Council to amend its smoking ordinance to allow nightclub-goers to smoke in their establishments. Supporters of such an amendment let their thoughts be heard during a council work session Tuesday afternoon. William Legg, owner of Legg’s Hideaway on 17th Street West, said his business is down 75 percent since the smoking ordinance took place in early October. He said if the business continues to struggle that he would be forced to close the doors by January. http://www.mountaineagle.com/view/full_story/16612201/article-Bars-want-smoking-ban-amended?instance=homefirstleft 1 Dec 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama JASPER, Ala. (WIAT) - VIDEO: Jasper's new smoking ban has some customers and at least one business owner defying the city ... risking it all to bring back the right to light up. One of his bartenders has already gotten one citation ... two citations and the city will close him down. A group of opponents to the smoking ban attended a city work session this week. The city has agreed to hear more concerns about amending the ordinance at an upcoming city council meeting later this month. http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Smoke-Ban-Opposition-In-Jasper/0XYbxVbEFECy_OJaTRztuw.cspx?rss=1659 2 Dec 2011 11:11 -0800 Alabama MOBILE IS as close as it has ever been to banning smoking in most workplaces and public spaces. If City Council members approve a proposal in the coming weeks, they will raise the bar for public health throughout the city. There is a big and unfortunate exception in the ordinance, however: It would allow bar owners to choose whether to allow smoking in their establishments. http://blog.al.com/press-register-commentary/2012/01/proposed_smoking_ban_is_good_f.html 5 Jan 2012 11:11 -0800 Alabama MOBILE, Alabama -- An ordinance soon to be considered by the Mobile City Council would bar smoking in virtually all public spaces and places of employment in the city. The most notable exception to the ban would be bars serving patrons age 21 or older. Bar owners could choose for themselves whether to allow smoking. Signs indicating whether smoking is OK would be required near the entrances. http://blog.al.com/live/2012/01/proposed_mobile_smoking_ban_wo.html 4 Jan 2012 11:11 -0800 Alabama