Group seeking city ordinance to curb smoking

A group of business and education leaders will be asking Corbin city officials to consider a ban on smoking in public establishments, similar to ordinances in Lexington, Louisville and other Kentucky cities.
Corbin Community Coalition Coordinator Chris Hart said the group voted last week to draft a letter to Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney, and members of the city’s Board of Commissioners, asking them to study the issue.
“What we are asking for is for them to just look into the issue and compare how other towns do it,” Hart said Monday. “Back in the early 1990s, Corbin led the way by issuing a seat belt ordinance before the state passed a law. We were ahead of the curve on that. We aren’t even asking our city leaders to be on the forefront on this issue, but just to follow what others have done. There are success stories out there.”
The Corbin Community Coalition was formed to raise awareness regarding issues surrounding drugs, tobacco and alcohol in the local school system, and the community at-large. The group meets on the second Wednesday of every month in the Corbin High School Media Center.
Hart said the biggest target of any proposed ordinance would obviously be restaurants. He said bans on smoking in other public access businesses could be looked at as well.
Shellie Mills, a Curriculum Facilitator for Project ACE, a grant-funded program in the Corbin School System focused on addressing issues of alcohol, drug and tobacco abuse, said she is very supportive of the move. Mills leads a research-based program called Ascent at East Alternative School that helps students break addiction to tobacco. She said her opposition to smoking in restaurants and other businesses centers around its negative health impact on non-smokers, and its affect on youth.
“In my opinion, honestly, I think 90 percent of kids’ behavior is based on what they see adults doing out in public,” she said. “Adults have a huge impact on kids, whether they know it or not,” she said. “I grew up in a house where my parents smoked, and I didn’t like it. I don’t like going to a restaurant and being covered in smoke. I think the studies show that second-hand smoke is unhealthy and I think it’s just bad for our kids to see that.”
But Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney said he’d be reluctant to vote for a ban in the city, saying restaurant owners should be the ones to decide the issue.
“If people want this, why don’t the restaurant owners take it on themselves to pass the ban?” McBurney said. “I know we’re probably not going to be the only town to face this. There’s more and more coming up with that issue. I think there’s a lot to weigh into any decision on it.”
McBurney said he isn’t sure if the commission will tackle the issue.
“I’d have to talk to the rest of the city commissioners to see what they think.”
Hart said he’s fully aware some restaurant owners may be opposed to such a law, but counters that the public health concerns trump any private property issues raised by owners. He also points to a recent University of Kentucky study showing the similar bans, particularly in Lexington, have actually been beneficial for restaurants; lessening wait times for seating and increasing employment … all alluding to bigger profit margins.
“I see both sides of the argument on this, but it’s not hurting the restaurants. This is a public health issue and sometimes those things take precedent over privacy issues,” he said. “You’ve got things like vaccinations that are mandated by law. I think this is something that will better our community.”
Hart said if city leaders brush aside or ignore the issue, the coalition might consider a petition drive or even a ballot initiative, if allowed. He said he hopes the city commission votes on an ordinance this year.
“The coalition wants to give our city leaders a chance to act on this first and if they wish to not get involved, at least the community will know where they stand on the issue.”