Efforts to implement a townwide smoking ban again faced skepticism Monday from most of the Jackson Town Council.

After the council shot down an ordinance almost one year ago, Michael Faraday, a member of a community coalition that is working for a smoking ban, told councilors he wanted to work with them to help draft something they can support.

“We are doing everything we can to work with the council rather than simply presenting something for your vote,” he said. “We are trying to find ways that you can direct us to help you.”

Councilors agreed to look for ways to recognize people and businesses that take steps to curb smoking in public places and continue discussion with coalition members but did not direct staff to begin drafting language for a townwide smoking ban.

Councilors said they did not see a need for an ordinance to ban smoking when only one establishment, The Virginian, allows smoking and, because it is a bar, is off limits to anyone younger than 18.

“I am confused, honestly,” Councilor Mark Obringer said. “The restaurants are smoke-free, there is only one bar in town that allows smoking, a couple shops allow smoking. I am not exactly sure what the purpose of an ordinance would be.”

An ordinance is necessary to keep establishments from backpedaling and allowing smoking, Faraday said, and to send the right message to children.
“You can compact this into a pretty meaningful phrase — smoking is still cool,” he said. “With an ordinance, that tells people that smoking is not cool in this community.”

Councilor Abe Tabatabai pointed out that despite many laws against using marijuana in public or any other place, many youths still view it as cool.
“I just wonder what impact it will really have on kids when we have such strong laws for smoking dope and that doesn’t help,” he said.

Public comment on the proposal was split, with one person speaking for and one against the regulation.

Councilor Melissa Turley was the only member of the board to express support for an ordinance. Because of a lack of support from her fellow councilors, she asked if there were other ways the town could encourage people not to smoke in public.