Bellevue’s ban on smoking, vaping goes into effect

BELLEVUE, Ky. (WXIX) - The City of Bellevue’s ordinance to ban smoking and vaping in public spaces is now in effect.

Known as the “Smoke-free Air” ordinance, the new law bans smoking and vaping in enclosed public spaces, on city-owned property, at places of employment, in enclosed long-term residential facilities, or in any outdoor area that establishes itself as a non-smoking domain.

Non-smoking areas	Smoking areas
Workspaces: Auditoriums, classrooms, conference and meeting rooms, private offices, elevators, hallways, medical facilities, cafeterias, employee lounges, stairs, restrooms and other enclosed facilities.	Private clubs
City-owned property: Buildings or vehicles owned and/or leased by the City of Bellevue.	Private residences
Enclosed public spaces: Bars, hospitals, restaurants, stores, gyms, arenas, long-term care facilities, etc.	Private rooms designated for smoking
Outdoor public spaces: Arenas, stadiums, amphitheaters, parks, city-owned property, playgrounds, platforms, shelters, non-designated smoking areas in apartments or other living facilities, etc.	Businesses that have a designated smoking area: Bars, restaurants, hospitals, etc.

Violators of the new city law will have to pay a $50 fine.

If the violator owns, manages or operates a public place, such as a bar or restaurant, they will receive a warning for their first infraction. If they receive a second infraction within one year of the first, then they will have to pay a $100 fine. Any additional infractions within the same year will cost $250.

Bellevue became the second Northern Kentucky city to create restrictions on smoking after Dayton, Kentucky did the same.

The city law was passed, in part, “to protect the public health and welfare [...] and to guarantee the right of all residents and visitors to breathe smoke-free air,” the ordinance reads.

The Bellevue City Council voted unanimously to pass the ordinance in February.

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