Atlantic Station to ban smoking

Atlantic Station announced Friday it will soon prohibit smoking on its retail property after receiving "overwhelming" feedback in favor of a ban via social media.

“We asked the community what they wanted and it was clear they supported a smoke-free shopping and entertainment experience,” said David Anderson, general manger at Atlantic Station.

North American Properties and CBRE Global Investors, which own the midtown complex, said the ban will be enforced in public areas of Atlantic Station -- including all sidewalks and its Central Park green space -- along with the mixed-use development that borders it.

Smokers will be allowed to light up around the perimeter of the property and in some restaurants, according to Atlantic Station's official blog.

Smoking bans have become increasingly popular around the metro area, with Norcross, Alpharetta and Duluth among the municipalities that prohibit smoking and the use of tobacco products in all public parks and green spaces. Cobb County is considering a similar ban in its 77 parks and recreation areas.

Atlantic Station will be a trailblazer in the city of Atlanta, which has no such anti-smoking laws for public spaces. Though they didn't say exactly when the ban would take effect a spokesman did say it would be enacted in time for the BB&T Atlanta Open tennis tournament, which starts July 14.