DeKalb County Commissioners Vote Against Smoking-In-Bars-Ban

In a widely watched vote on an issue that drew passionate pleas from both sides in the last few months, DeKalb County's board of commissioners voted against expanding a proposed smoking ban that would have made bars, strip clubs and public places smoke-free.

The vote – deferred from the commissioners' Aug. 23 meeting — was 4-2, Fox 5 Atlanta reported.

Proponents said the proposed ban, which would have been similar to existing ordinances in Savannah and and Decatur, would not have had any significant economic impact to businesses that cater to smokers.

Opponents to the measure, including the Columbus-based International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association, said a similar ban in Ohio cost that state 5,400 spirits- and hospitality-related jobs, within the first year.  Wholesale liquor sales fell by 3 million bottles.

Opponents also feared had the ban been enacted, smokers would go to bars and nightclubs in Fulton County, where they'd be free to light up.

For some Atlanta neighborhoods like East Atlanta Village and Kirkwood, which are in the city limits but fall in DeKlab County, bars risked seeing customers going across the Moreland Avenue dividing line into Grant Park, Ormewood Park and Inman Park, among others, since Moreland is the dividing line between Fulton and DeKalb.