“Non-Smoking ordinance Challenge”

The Somerset City Council approved the first reading amendment to the nonsmoking ordinance to allow the Birdies and Barrels Cigar Bar, a venue for cigar connoisseurs, to enjoy smoking a cigar with their drinks at the new Cigar Bar to be built in downtown Somerset.   The news of the amendment was first heard of in the daily newspaper that also reported that a “cigar” had less nicotine than a cigarette.    The second reading of the amendment was scheduled to be held at the next Somerset City Council meeting in two weeks.

                The Working on Wellness Committee had worked so hard to get the non-smoking ordinance in the city of Somerset passed in 2012 and wanted to continue with the nonsmoking in Somerset.  The Commonwealth Journal submitted the following article to allow citizens to vote on the ordinance.  “The City of Somerset is looking at amending the smoking ordinance to allow cigar bars in Downtown Somerset.  How to do you feel about this?   1.  I am ok with cigar bars in downtown Somerset.   2.  I think Somerset should remain smoke free and the ordinance should not be amended to permit this type of establishment.  3.  I am indifferent.  At the close of the survey, 53% of the residents voted for number 2, to not amend the ordinance.  Members of the committee also contacted each council member to express their concern for the ordinance being passed.

                The final plans were for all the committee members to attend the next council meeting.  They would wear red, and three members were selected to speak.  The Extension Agent as one, along with a doctor from Somerset and a doctor from the University of Kentucky.   Approval was given for the committee to be on the agenda.   

           On the night of the council meeting, the mayor came forward and told the committee that the amendment would not be voted on at the meeting.  He also stated that he had listened to residents’ concerns about the proposed smoking ordinance amendment and understood their point of view.    He further stated that “should any similar change to the smoking ordinance be considered in the future, the process would start at the very beginning, and as of now, there were no plans to revisit it.”