Although Auburn may be largely smoke-free, most of Alabama is not.
However, a bill proposed by Sen. Vivian Figures aimed at banning smoking in restaurants statewide passed 19-3 April 6 in the Alabama Senate.
An Auburn City Ordinance banning smoking in public places passed in 2003.
"Citizens came and spoke to the city council and essentially asked for this (smoking ban) to be done," said David Dorton, director of public affairs for the Auburn City Council.
When the ordinance was put into action, some questioned if revenue would fall. Dorton said it didn't.
"Most everyone in is happy with the ordinance," Dorton said.
Ginny Campbell, government relations director for the American Cancer Society, supports Auburn's ordinance.
"We always use Auburn as a great example of how a smoke-free ordinance works," Campbell said. "Here is a huge University that has smoke-free bars, so Auburn is just such a great example of how this thing really works."
However, the ACS does not support Figures' bill because it only bans smoking in restaurants.
"The Cancer Society does not support any bills that are not comprehensive, meaning the ban of smoking in restaurants, bars and all work places," Campbell said. "This bill only bans smoking in restaurants, and that's not even including restaurants with bars in them, and this law would be really hard to enforce."
Campbell said she is disappointed with the new bill and doesn't think it will make any difference.
"This new law doesn't really do anything that restaurants already do," Campbell said. "Many restaurants have already chosen to go smoke-free."
There is no filter for second-hand smoke, which is what makes it so dangerous. Restaurant second-hand smoke is not the most dangerous kind, Campbell said.
"What we're really missing is the amount of second-hand smoke being consumed in workplaces and in bars," Campbell said. "That's where the real problem is."
Second hand smoke has been linked to cancer, which is why Campbell and the Cancer Society find it so vital to make smoking ban bills inclusive.
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