By AP
Louisville, KY – Nearly 300 businesses have filed for exemptions from Louisville's
smoking ban, which taks effect at one minute after midnight Monday night.
The Louisville metro health department has compiled a list of 291 groups
and businesses that say they are exempt. The department is still checking
about 50 more to see if the exemptions they claim are valid.
The Louisville metro council approved a compromise smoking ordinance
in August after two years of debate. It bans smoking in thousands of
businesses, unless they install separately ventilated smoking rooms.
Louisville's smoking ban is one of at least three in the state along with
Lexington and Georgetown. It defines bars as any business with a by the
drink alcohol license that derives less than 75% of its gross revenue
from the sale of food eaten inside the building.