East Ridge has taken the first steps to ban tobacco from all city property.
Council members voted 3-1 Tuesday night to approve the ban, which will apply to city parks, all public safety and public works departments and City Hall.
Councilman Denny Manning was the lone vote against the ban, saying he supported designated areas for tobacco use.
“I’ve never smoked or chewed in my life but I don’t think you should try to control people,” Manning said.
Councilman Jim Bethune compared it to outlawing alcohol sales on city property, saying the ban was in public interest.
“It’s not just you putting it in your body, it’s the second-hand smoke you expose to other people,” he said.
The ban will undergo a final vote at council’s June 28 meeting.
It is still unclear how the ban would be enforced.
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