A new ban on tobacco use in public areas of Norcross has received both praise and opposition this week.
The ordinance in the Gwinnett County city will go into effect this summer. The ban includes city buildings, parks and sidewalks.
At the Vargas and Harbin Studio Gallery, owner Charlie Harbin is not happy about the city's action.
"I believe it's a black eye on the face of Norcross because of the intrusion of government on our business," said Harbin.
The ordinance is to go in effect in July. Officials have made plans to begin enforcement with warnings to violators.
Charlie Riehm was one of the city council members who supported the ban.
"We're trying to keep people from being caught in a situation with serious secondary smoke where they can't escape," said Riehm.
He says the council may revisit the issue in the next couple of weeks.
"We don't want to penalize isolated smokers moving up and down the sidewalk. But where crowds gather and the smoke gets dense – that could be a problem," said Riehm.
The ordinance calls for a minimum fine of $50 rising to a maximum of $800 for repeat offenders. . The Norcross ban also includes smokeless tobacco.
The city plans to post signs spelling out the requirements of the ordinance.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:22:14 GMT
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