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ASHLAND CITY COUNCIL Smoking ban session draws little response Only person to show up speaks against banning smoking outdoors downtown Comment By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Mar. 18, 2016 at 4:40 PM Updated Mar 21, 2016 at 12:05 PM By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Mar. 18, 2016 at 4:40 PM Updated Mar 21, 2016 at 12:05 PM » Social News “Ashland needs to guard against legislating lifestyle,” said Andy Kubich, the lone commenter to attend Ashland Mayor John Stromberg’s listening session on Wednesday night about banning smoking downtown. Kubich expressed to the mayor that he feels the city has enough to deal with in considering downtown ordinances. In November, the City Council approved ordinances prohibiting leading livestock through downtown without a special permit, another requiring dogs to have a license and to not behave in ways deemed "public nuisances," including menacing passersby and running at large; and a third that added two violations to a list of those that can get a person banned from downtown: failing to have a license or certificate of rabies vaccination for a dog and use of marijuana in a public place. The council is currently considering new laws making certain types of aggressive panhandling and blocking sidewalks illegal. Public comment on those ordinances was taken at the March 15 meeting, with council deliberation expected at its next business meeting on April 5. Kubich told Mayor Stromberg creating more laws would place too much of an enforcement burden on the police. Similar sentiments were discussed at a prior open hearing during a council meeting regarding the proposal with many feeling the new rule might be difficult for tourists, bar and restaurant workers who smoke on their breaks and residents who attend events downtown. Concerns were also raised that a downtown smoking ban might also disproportionately affect those who are on the homeless spectrum and outside much of the time. The ordinance proposed by Councilor Stefani Seffinger prohibits smoking or the use of inhalants in public spaces in downtown Ashland, including sidewalks, the Plaza and Chautauqua Square, plus all privates spaces into which the public is invited. Is does not include private residences, designated smoking rooms in hotels or to unenclosed private spaces. State law already prohibits smoking outside within 10 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open and even in enclosed areas outside if there’s a ventilation intake. (This paragraph has been changed to clarify where the ban would apply.) Seffinger proposed the ban, saying it’s her experience that people with breathing problems such as asthma suffer downtown due to smoke from cigarettes. While studies about whether outdoor smoke adversely affects others are inconclusive, arguments have been made that the presence of smokers may encourage others to smoke at a risk to their personal health. At the November meeting when the proposal was first brought up for discussion, Seffinger said it was inspired by the "Blue Zones" project, in which behavior patterns of the world's longest-lived communities ("Blue Zones") are used as models to improve health. "It's about making Ashland a healthier place," she said. "It has nothing to do with the homeless issue." Ashland resident Elias Mercado missed Wednesday's listening session, but caught up with Mayor Stromberg in the City Council Chamber parking lot. Mercado agrees with Seffinger that smoke downtown hampers his enjoyment in and around the Plaza. Mercado asked that his support for the ban be added to the record, saying many of his friends and guests complain about smokers and that he “can’t enjoy himself sitting on a bench downtown because there is so much smoke.” Holders of an Oregon Liquor Control Commission license like bars and restaurants, however, can apply for a limited exception to allow smoking in front of their businesses so the concerns of Mercado could not be entirely addressed. Councilor Pam Marsh suggested delaying a vote on the smoking ban until downtown businesses and residents could be polled to see if this would be acceptable. The Ashland City Council is expected to consider the smoking ban ordinance again at one of its April council meetings, possibly at the April 19 meeting. Ashland already bans smoking in its parks. Email Ashland freelance writer Julie Akins at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ @julieakins. By Julie Akins For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Julie Akins For the Tidings Posted Mar. 18, 2016 at 4:40 PM Updated Mar 21, 2016 at 12:05 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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