Gulfport council passes smoking ban ordinance

Published 4:36 pm Thursday, March 20, 2008

The Gulfport City Council has adopted an ordinance to ban smoking in restaurants, offices and most other public places.

The council voted 6-1 on Tuesday to adopt the ordinance.

The smoking ban applies to all restaurants, even those inside a casino. Gaming areas and adjoining space inside a casino will be exempt from the new ordinance. While bars are exempt, combination restaurant-bars must adhere to the new ordinance.

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Smokers who violate the ordinance can be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $100. Business owners who don’t comply face fines up to $500.

The new ordinance takes effect on May 1.