Subscribe to Cigar Rights of America RSS feeds and get the most up-to-date cigar-related legislative news for Kentucky. http://www.cigarrights.org/xml/news/news_KY.xml http://www.cigarrights.org/favicon.ico http://www.cigarrights.org/images/CRA08small.jpg en-us HOPKINS CO., KY (WFIE), JAN 20 - The tough smoking ban in Hopkins County could be changing, and soon. A no smoking ban has been in place in Hopkins County now for months, but the Hopkins County Court has proposed a new regulation that will be less restrictive. "A hotel can have as many smoking rooms as they would like , private clubs are entirely exempt as long as they don't have anyone under the age of 18 enter," Lisa Miller with the Hopkins Co. Health Dept. said. Miller is not completely satisfied with the new ordinance. "We don't feel like it is as comprehensive and we don't feel like it protects the people of Hopkins County and we would like to see everybody protected not just those under 18, but this is certainly better than not having any regulation ordinance at all," Miller said. Local business owners like Ronnie Fox are relieved that money he spent to construct a separate ventilation system in his restaurant isn't going to waste. http://www.14wfie.com/global/story.asp?s=9704999 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:57 -0800 Kentucky JAN 14 - A smoke-free Kentucky? Sounds great, doesn't it? Until you realize that any statewide smoking ban enacted this year would probably leave Kentucky with weaker protections against secondhand smoke in the long-run. Why? Because anything our pro-tobacco legislature is likely to pass would be weaker than the ordinances that local governments are enacting. A statewide ban would drain the political energy from local efforts to enact better protections. And without a ton of money behind it, enforcement would be a joke. If Senate President David Williams is serious about reducing tobacco's toll on Kentucky's health, he'd support a big increase in the excise tax on tobacco and channel $53 million a year from the increase into tobacco control. Then enact a statewide smoking ban. Kentucky spends just $4.2 million a year on smoking prevention and cessation, and some of that comes from the federal government. The state should be spending $57.2 million, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/645879.html Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:00 -0800 Kentucky FORT THOMAS, JAN 4 — A proposed smoking ban in three Northern Kentucky counties could go up in smoke as officials haggle over what type of establishments would be exempt from the measure. Officials in Kenton, Boone and Campbell counties have been working together since June on the proposal. If the differences can't be ironed out soon, some leaders are suggesting the plan be tabled until a comprehensive measure can be put in place. "I believe it's either time to pass something or put it on the shelf for a while because it just seems to be an item that is taking staff time and concentration away from other projects," said Kenton County Commissioner Dan Humpert. http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/645879.html Sun, 04 Jan 2009 16:28 -0800 Kentucky FEB 10 - The University of Kentucky announced Monday that its smoking ban will take effect on all campus property Nov. 19, the date of the American Cancer Society's annual Great American Smokeout. UK will join Campbellsville University as the only Kentucky campuses to impose a complete smoking ban, according to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation. Other campuses ban smoking indoors. UK now bans smoking in all campus buildings, including dorms, and outside its medical facilities, as does the University of Louisville. The new UK tobacco-free policy prohibits the use of all tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipes, cigars and snuff. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090210/NEWS0103/902100366/1055/NEWS Tue, 10 Feb 2009 21:26 -0800 Kentucky MAR 30 - Officials in Northern Kentucky have not yet passed any smoke-free ordinances, but supporters of laws to ban smoking in public places continue to encourage businesses to clear their air. Northern Kentucky Action, the coalition of health-related organizations and associations promoting smoke-free workplace laws, has added the Kenton County Alliance to its effort, according to a report in The Kentucky Enquirer. The organization works to prevent substance abuse among youth and is writing to businesses that have chosen to go smoke-free on their own. http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/743879.html Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:08 -0800 Kentucky WASHINGTON, JUN 5 -- Sen. Jim Bunning yesterday denounced the proposed federal regulation of tobacco as an effort to wipe out the industry. "And the big problem with this approach is that our nation's tobacco farmers are the ones who are going to pay the price," the Kentucky Republican told colleagues on the Senate floor. Senators are debating legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration the power to regulate tobacco products. Bunning's opposition was no surprise -- he's opposed similar bills before. http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200906050540/NEWS0101/906050382 Fri, 5 June 2009 11:16 -0800 Kentucky COVINGTON, Ky. (AP) - A proposal to regulate indoor smoking in northern Kentucky is expected to come to a vote this summer. An advocacy group, Northern Kentucky Action, has been lobbying for a smoke-free law in Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties for more than two years. http://www.lex18.com/news/northern-kentucky-official-wants-smoking-ban-vote 10 May 2010 11:11 -0800 Kentucky INDEPENDENCE, KY (FOX19) - Kenton County passed an amended smoking ban on Tuesday. The smoking ban passed by the Kenton County Fiscal Court on Tuesday still allows for smoking to take place in bars and adult establishments -- essentially a bar where customers are at least 18 years old and workers are at least 18 years old. http://www.fox19.com/Global/story.asp?S=13724424 21 Dec 2010 11:11 -0800 Kentucky NEWPORT – Campbell County Fiscal Court voted 3-1 to create a comprehensive indoor smoking ban Wednesday, with the majority saying they believed it was the right thing to do to protect county residents from illness and early death. The court briefly discussed an amendment that county Judge-executive Steve Pendery had prepared that would have exempted some bars from the ban if they prohibited patrons under age 18, had no employees under 18, and if they had enclosed areas separate from the rest of the establishment, with separate ventilation and entrances. The amendment did not come up for a vote. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/AB/20101215/NEWS0108/312150076/Campbell-backs-smoking-ban 15 Dec 2010 11:11 -0800 Kentucky NEWPORT, Ky. - Proposed smoking bans look to be a hot issue throughout Kentucky this year, as health authorities push for a state-wide smoking ban. But they'll have to fight efforts to overturn some local smoking bans, like the one in Campbell County. It looked like the spring might bring indoor smoking bans to both Kenton and Campbell counties, but now that outlook, at least in Campbell County, appears unclear at best because new members of the Campbell County Fiscal Court want to overturn the previously approved smoking ban. http://www.kypost.com/dpps/news/region_northern_kentucky/newport/smouldering-debate-over-smoking-bans-in-kentucky-set-to-re-ignite_5801516 6 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky A bill scheduled to be introduced in the General Assembly today calls for a smoking ban across Kentucky, where residents smoke at the nation's highest rate and tobacco-related illnesses exact a heavy toll. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, would ban smoking in all indoor workplaces with at least one employee, including restaurants, bars and private clubs. It's supported by a coalition of local, state and national health advocates called Smoke Free Kentucky. http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110106/NEWS0101/301060002/1008/NEWS01/Statewide+smoking+ban+sought+in+Kentucky 6 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky Following lively comments and an overflow crowd at Tuesday night’s city commission meeting, commissioners still expect more public feedback at Monday night’s special meeting. The Bowling Green City Commission will vote on a second reading of an ordinance that would ban smoking at most indoor businesses in Bowling Green. The first reading passed 3-2. Commissioners Bruce Wilkerson and Joe Denning voted no. “I think there will be public feedback again,” said Commissioner Brian “Slim” Nash, author of the ordinance. Nash said he has gotten a considerable amount of feedback from the community since Tuesday night’s meeting. http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2011/01/23/news/news2.txt 23 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky LOUISVILLE — Senate President David Williams said Friday he supports a statewide smoking ban to promote health, but two of his rivals in this year's race for governor said the issue should be decided by property owners. Louisville businessman Phil Moffett said government has no business making decisions regarding private property and that he thinks the effects of secondhand smoke have been "overblown." Williams countered that he does not think secondhand smoke is "a joke." http://www.kentucky.com/2011/01/22/1606360/governor-candidates-spar-over.html 22 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky Senate President David Williams strongly endorsed a statewide smoking ban Friday, saying it’s a workplace safety issue and not a matter of property rights as many conservatives contend. Williams, speaking in Louisville at a Kentucky Press Association forum for gubernatorial candidates, said he would vote for such a ban if it comes to the Senate in this year’s General Assembly. His opponent in the Republican primary, Louisville businessman Phil Moffett, said Williams’ position demonstrates that he isn’t a true conservative. http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110121/NEWS/301210073/Sen.%20David%20Williams%20backs%20statewide%20smoking%20ban 21 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky Smoke-free businesses in Bowling Green became a reality Monday night, when the Bowling Green City Commission passed 3-2 an ordinance banning smoking at most businesses in the city. The ban will take effect 90 days from Monday’s vote. Exempt from the ordinance are nursing homes, exclusive tobacco retailers and private clubs where membership is required. Commissioners Joe Denning and Bruce Wilkerson voted against the measure. Residents again packed the City Hall chamber to voice their opinions. For the second meeting in a row, many of the same arguments in support and against the ban were heard. http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2011/01/25/news/news2.txt 25 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky NEWPORT, Ky. - The smoking ban adopted last year for Campbell County is under review and could be repealed before it ever takes effect depending on an upcoming vote. Campbell County commissioners will decide whether to repeal the ban at a meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16 at the fiscal court building in Newport. The original smoking ban ordinance in Campbell County passed in December 2010. It is set to take effect in April 2011. The bill would ban smoking in areas of employment and public places including bars and restaurants. http://www.kypost.com/dpp/news/local_news/campbell-co.-smoking-ban-may-be-short-lived 15 Feb 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky The Kentucky Legislature is looking at a bill that would establish a smoking ban across the state, impacting all public buildings. The Indiana General Assembly also is considering a statewide smoking ban during its current session. The proposed Kentucky bill, House Bill 193, would prohibit smoking in any indoor public places and establish a distance outside the doors where smoking would be allowed. Fines would be $100 for the first violation and $250 for every other violation. Fines could increase if violations become a persistent problem. http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=178&SubSectionID=286&ArticleID=60673 12 Jan 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky NEWPORT - After 3½ hours of debate Wednesday, Campbell County Fiscal Court voted 3-1 to snuff out the proposed countywide smoking ban that would have prohibited smoking inside bars, restaurants and other businesses that welcome the public. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110216/NEWS0108/302160081/1196/NKY-smoking-ban-dies?odyssey=nav%7Chead 16 Feb 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky With less than a week remaining before the city’s anti-smoking ordinance goes into effect, developments have occurred in two legal challenges to the ordinance. Warren Circuit Judge John Grise scheduled a hearing for Wednesday on the challenge to the smoking ban brought by American Legion Post 23 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1298. http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2011/04/23/news/news2.txt 22 Apr 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky LEXINGTON, Ky. – Senate President David Williams and Louisville businessman Phil Moffett butted heads several times Monday night during the only state-wide debate of the 2011 Republican gubernatorial primary, battling over things from education to the role of the federal government. http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20110509/NEWS0106/305090101/GOP-gubernatorial-hopefuls-critical-Obama?odyssey=nav%7Chead 9 May 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky In paperwork filed recently, the attorney appealing the citation and fine against American Legion Post 23 for violating the city’s smoking ban argues that the post should be exempt from the ordinance and cites a case in Lexington as being similar. Attorney Alan Simpson of Bowling Green filed a five-page brief July 12 on behalf of James Manley, chief finance officer of Post 23, who was cited April 28 for violating the ordinance. http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2011/07/19/news/news4.txt 19 Jul 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky Police cited Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1298 on Sunday for violating the city’s ordinance against smoking, but the post intends to appeal the citation and $25 fine. The citation was issued at 3:50 p.m. Sunday to Malcolm Cherry, quartermaster for the VFW post, during a charitable gaming event hosted by the veterans organization. The citation states that the “owner (of the property) was letting customers smoke.” The ordinance bans smoking in most businesses within city limits and has been in effect since April 28. Cherry joins James Manley, an officer with American Legion Post 23, as the only people to have been formally issued citations for violating the ban. http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2011/08/09/news/news3.txt 9 Aug 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky Two candidates for Bowling Green City Commission have already taken the position that the city’s anti-smoking ordinance needs to be revised. “I am so mad over the smoking ban, the law itself,” said candidate Bill Goodwin. Goodwin is interested in adjusting the smoking ban to exempt clubs such as the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars. “It’s very upsetting that our commissioners are picking on veterans. The law is written so wrong,” Goodwin said. http://www.bgdailynews.com/articles/2011/08/11/news/news2.txt 11 Aug 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky Four months after Kenton County became the first Northern Kentucky county to ban smoking inside most public establishments, the initial furor has died down, but neither side is satisfied. Enforcement issues, exemptions and the lack of uniform rules with neighboring communities raise the question of whether a community can effectively ban smoking on its own. With Campbell and Boone counties allowing smoking and Ohio having a state ban, Kenton County's ban has struggled to succeed and remains in the cross hairs of those opposed to it. http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110820/EDIT03/108210355/Smoking-ban-repeal-ahead 24 Aug 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY (WAVE) - A proposed smoking ban in Bullitt County can't move forward. Bullitt Circuit Judge Rodney Burress issued his ruling Thursday saying the Bullitt County Health Department is overstepping its bounds by implementing or enforcing the ban. Burress ordered the ban, which was set to take effect on Monday, September 19, void and unlawful. http://www.wave3.com/story/15472501/judge-rules-against-smoking-ban-in-bullitt-county 15 Sep 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky The Clark County Board of Health will support the Bullitt County Board of Health as it appeals a Bullitt Circuit Court decision ruling a county-wide indoor smoking ban unconstitutional. Local board members voted to provide the Bullitt board with $5,000 from money received from the University of Kentucky for consulting services provided by Health Department Director Scott Lockard. http://www.centralkynews.com/winchestersun/news/ws-clark-helps-fund-bullitt-smoking-ban-appeal-20110930,0,6718678.story 30 Sep 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- MetroCall 311 takes 900 to 1,000 calls a day from across Louisville, but that number could be on its way down thanks to a new way to report problems. On Tuesday, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer unveiled a mobile 311 app that allows residents to immediately report a pothole with just a quick click. http://www.wlky.com/news/29451352/detail.html 12 Oct 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky FRANKFORT, KY. — Backed by a coalition of health and anti-smoking groups, Rep. Susan Westrom said Wednesday that she plans to file a bill for the 2012 legislative session to enact a statewide smoking ban in public places. Testifying before the interim joint Health and Welfare Committee, the Lexington Democrat said she believes it’s time for lawmakers to adopt a statewide law similar to ordinances already enacted in some localities, including Louisville and Lexington. http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20111019/NEWS01/310190091/Lawmaker-propose-statewide-smoking-ban?odyssey=nav%7Chead 20 Oct 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky The president of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has thrown his support behind a proposed statewide smoking ban in the workplace. Dave Adkisson testified before a legislative panel in Frankfort today. He says ten years ago, it would have been unthinkable for the chamber to take such a position. http://www.wfpl.org/2011/10/19/state-chamber-president-backs-workplace-smoking-ban/ 19 Oct 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, is teeing up another try at enacting a statewide ban on smoking in indoor public places. Like last year, she has the support of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. Its members are smarting from the steep health-care costs and lost productivity that come from doing business in a state with the highest rate — one in four Kentuckians — of adult smoking. http://www.kentucky.com/2011/10/26/1935202/state-smoking-ban-must-not-weaken.html 26 Oct 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky Webster’s dictionary defines freedom as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. America is supposed to be a “free” country yet we are getting our rights stripped away from us one by one. Yes, I am a smoker and I believe that we should have the right to smoke where we want. Smokers are being discriminated against. Not being able to smoke in many public places and bars. http://bgdailynews.com/articles/2011/11/22/opinion/letters/letter2.txt 22 Nov 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky COVINGTON – Legends Bar and Grill at 3530 Decourcy Ave. in Latonia has become the second place to be fined $100 under Kenton County’s partial smoking ban for restaurants, workplaces, bingo halls and other public establishments. During a regular food inspection on Nov. 4, a health inspector noticed customers smoking, a lack of signage, and the presence of children, said Emily Gresham Wherle, a spokeswoman for the Northern Kentucky Health Department. http://nky.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20111130/NEWS0103/311300097/ 30 Nov 2011 11:11 -0800 Kentucky A bill introduced Thursday in the Kentucky General Assembly for a statewide ban on smoking indoors in public places has once again touched off debate among smokers, non-smokers and business owners. State Rep Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, introduced the bill that would ban tobacco smoking in work places, businesses and government buildings statewide. She said the bill has some changes that strengthens it over a similar bill she introduced last year. http://cincinnati.com/blogs/nkypolitics/2012/01/19/statewide-smoking-ban-proposed/ 19 Jan 2012 11:11 -0800 Kentucky FRANKFORT, Ky. - Smoking in restaurants, workplaces and other indoor public spots would be prohibited in Kentucky as part of a bill just introduced in the state Legislature. House Bill 289, introduced by Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, would enact a statewide, indoor smoke-free policy to help protect nonsmokers from the dangers of secondhand smoke. http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/24548-1 30 Jan 2012 11:11 -0800 Kentucky