After some confusion on the part of the Commissioners after the first reading,the Johnson County commissioners on Monday morning approved countywide public smoking restrictions that will take effect in January. After the first reading of the ordinance, two of the Commissioners were surprised that the proposed ban overruled the town and city ordinances which were already in place. But their concerns were laid to rest and today they voted on one of the most restrictive bans in Johnson County. And, it applies to all of Johnson County, the towns, cities and unincorporated areas.
The new ordinance prohibits smoking in all public businesses, including bars, hotels, restaurants and private clubs. It is more restrictive than previous bans passed in the cities of Franklin and Greenwood, which now will have to follow the county’s ordinance.
The law follows similar ordinances recently passed in the metropolitan area.
Indianapolis’ smoking ban took effect June 1, followed by another in Lawrence on Oct. 1.
A less-restrictive statewide ban that does not apply to bars, casinos and private clubs went into effect July 1.
