Ruston becomes 21st municipality in Louisiana to go smoke free
Jul. 22, 2019
Ouachita Parish was the first area in Northeast Louisiana to be smoke free. That means no smoking or vaping in restaurants, parks, sidewalks or within 15-25 feet of any banned area, so lighting up and blowing smoke is now a no-no in public spaces in Ruston.
“My dad used to smoke when I was younger, so I’m familiar being around it as a kid. I don’t care for it, I don’t want to be around it,” said Ruston resident Rachel Hellgren.
Hellgren expressed that the ordinance, passed Monday, is a good idea and there’s no butt’s about it.
“I think in multiple ways it does, it makes the environment and people healthier,” she said.
Regional Manager for Louisiana Tobacco Free Living, Jennifer Haneline, indicated that smoking in public is no one’s legal right.
“It’s not your right to harm somebody else with your behavior, nobody has that right,” she said.
The smoke ordinance states that smoking in workplaces, schools, businesses, restaurants and parks is prohibited. Haneline reveals that second hand smoke can affect those more drastically than one may think like in a restaurant.
“Their exposure for eight hours is the equivalent to smoking a pack of cigarettes,” she said.
Or even children a park, “When those chemicals get in those little lungs, that has long lasting impact,” Haneline said.
Gregory Hutchins has smoked for 15 years he agreed that smoking isn’t something everyone has to deal with.
“I respect and agree with it, not everybody wants to be in a smoky area,” he said.
Like Hellgren, he believes the new ordinance is a good idea.
“It’s a nice gesture, it’s a step in the right direction for overall health and safety,” said Hutchins.
“We always want to help people where they are and not make people feel bad for that behavior, it is an addiction and it’s something very difficult to stop doing,” Haneline pointed out.
However, Hutchins believes the true test of enforcing the new rule will be up to the community
“As far as actually enforcing it and getting it done, that’ll be up to the citizens of Ruston,” he said.
If people are caught violating the new ordinance they can be fined up to $500.
A person who smokes in an area where smoking is prohibited by the provisions of this Article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by:
FINES:
A. A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for a first violation.
B. A fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a second violation within one (1) year.
C. A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for each additional violation within one year.
Except as otherwise provided by this Section, a person who owns, manages, operates, or otherwise controls a public place or place of employment and who fails to comply with the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by:
A. A fine not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for a first violation.
B. A fine not exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a second violation within one (1) year.
C. A fine not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) for each additional violation within one (1) year.
FOOTAGE RULES:
A. Within a reasonable distance of 15 feet, or the distance from the closest part of such outdoor seating or serving area and the nearest city street, whichever is less, outside entrances, operable windows, and ventilation systems of enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited, so as to prevent tobacco smoke from entering those areas.
B. On all outdoor property that is adjacent to buildings owned, leased, or operated by the City of Ruston and that is under the control of the City of Ruston.
C. In, and within 15 feet of, or the distance from the closest part of such outdoor seating or serving area and the nearest city street, whichever is less, outdoor seating or serving areas of restaurants and bars.
D. In all outdoor arenas, stadiums, and amphitheaters. Smoking shall also be prohibited in, and within 25 feet of, bleachers and grandstands for use by spectators at sporting and other public events.
E. In, and within 25 feet of, all outdoor parks and playgrounds.
F. In, and within 25 feet of, all outdoor public transportation stations, platforms, and shelters under the authority of the City of Ruston.
G. In all outdoor service lines, including lines in which service is obtained by persons in vehicles, such as service that is provided by bank tellers, parking lot attendants, and toll takers. In lines in which service is obtained by persons in vehicles, smoking is prohibited by both pedestrians and persons in vehicles, but only within 25 feet of the point of service.
H. In outdoor common areas of apartment buildings, condominiums, trailer parks, retirement facilities, nursing homes, and other multiple-unit residential facilities, except in designated smoking areas, not to exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the total outdoor common area, which must be located at least 25 feet outside entrances, operable windows, and ventilation systems of enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited.