Smoking bans gain in popularity across metro Atlanta

Norcross' economic development manager was concerned businesses might leave town. The police chief fretted about devoting officers to police parks for illegal smokers. The city manager wanted to know the best way to inform residents of the new tobacco ban.

Earlier this month, Norcross approved an ordinance banning use of all tobacco products at parks, sidewalks, recreational fields and city buildings, among other public places. But in a recent workshop with anti-smoking advocates, city leaders came to understand the challenges faced by other municipalities that passed similar measures.

"Pushback is the norm, but we’re trying to move forward," Michael Jackson, a program consultant with the state Department of Public Health, told city officials Wednesday. "This is Step One of a process for building normalcy for what is becoming the norm across the world."

Norcross is the latest in a string of metro Atlanta cities and counties — including Alpharetta, Clayton and Duluth, among others — to ban smoking or the use of tobacco products in public parks or spaces. Cobb County is considering a similar measure that would ban smoking and tobacco use in all of its 77 parks and recreation locations.

Supporters argue the laws create healthier environments for residents, including protection from secondhand smoke. But many others say the bans infringe on personal rights, hurt local restaurants and bars and represent improper expansion of government.

"I don't think it's a health issue," said Norcross councilman David McLeroy, the only council member to oppose the city's new ban. "I just think it's arrogance and folks wanting to impose their will."

The first legal step toward restricting smoking and tobacco usage in Georgia started with the Smokefree Air Act of 2005. The law prohibits smoking in state buildings, restaurants/bars serving or employing persons under age 18, places of employment, auditoriums, class rooms and medical facilities. Bars and restaurants that don't allow workers or patrons under age 18, outdoor work areas and hotel rooms designated as smoking rooms are exempted.

Some municipalities have gone further. For example, Alpharetta, Duluth, Kennesaw, Marietta and Roswell ban smoking in city parks.

As the dangers of secondhand smoke have become more apparent, more jurisdictions have been expanding their smoking ordinances.

"As people become more and more health-conscious, some city officials may be under more public pressure to enact tougher anti-smoking laws," said Amy Henderson, a spokeswoman with the Georgia Municipal Association.

Of course -- echoing the concerns of Norcross' economic development manager -- many local smokers said they'll simply take their business elsewhere.

“We’ll just go have our smoke somewhere else,” said Jeffrey Bereznitzky, who was enjoying a cigarette during a recent break from work in downtown Norcross. “But really, where does it stop? What’s next?”

Like most other cities that passed similar laws, Marietta passed its ban in 2009 in response to complaints about cigar smokers at outdoor events. Later that year, the ordinance was expanded to include all city parks.

"I think people who go to concerts at [Glover Park on Marietta Square] have noticed the difference," said Rich Buss, the parks recreation and facilities director at Marietta.

Norcross' ordinance is even tougher, forbidding the use of tobacco products on all city property and in many outdoor areas. Councilman Ross Kaul, who sponsored the law, said he was concerned about the dangers of secondhand smoke and wanted to create a safe and healthy environment in public spaces for nonsmokers.

"We're just trying to do what's best for Norcross," Kaul said. "This was our first shot at it and we'll probably do some tweaking to it. This will be an ongoing issue."

In fact, many anti-smoking groups want more Georgia cities to adopt broader laws against smoking. The American Heart Association has called on Norcross and other municipalities to pass an ordinance banning smoking in all indoor areas.

Notably, Atlanta, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett do not have any laws prohibiting smoking in public places, including parks, bars and strip clubs. Atlanta is one of the largest cities in the country without such an ordinance.

"We’re kind of playing catch-up," said Sarah Balog, a government relations director for the Greater Southeast Affiliate of the American Heart Association. "In the rest of the country, it is the expectation."

But opponents of these measures argue they drive away customers and businesses, and they unfairly infringe upon the rights of smokers.

"The nanny state is getting obscene here," said Gary Nolan, the U.S. director of smokers advocacy group The Smokers' Club. "But we've seen it coming in a variety of different cities."

Coming out of Wednesday's workshop, Kaul remained convinced Norcross was doing the right thing.