DeKalb officials expected to say "No" to smoking ban
Atlanta Business Chronicle - by Carla Caldwell , Morning Call Editor Date: Tuesday, August 23, 2011, 7:15am EDT
DeKalb County, Ga., officials, facing pressure from strip club owners, are expected Tuesday to vote down an expanded anti-smoking ordinance, reports Atlanta Business Chronicle broadcast partner WXIA-TV.
DeKalb's Board of Health, which is pushing the tighter smoking rules, says medical costs associated with second-hand smoke averages out to $500 for each household in the county each year.
Business owners who support the ban say customers will become accustomed to a tighter smoking rules just like they have elsewhere, and that business will not be affected.
The ban would affect some indoor spaces, as well as parks and ATMs. Smoking is already banned in some restaurants.
One dive bar here in Columbus does not bother following the smoker's ban after a certain time figuring the department of health will be closed anyways. The smoker's patio is usually one of the most private areas of the strip clubs.