A proposed smoking ban in Owensboro will be up for a final vote Wednesday.
An amended version of the ordinance, which appears to have support from the entire city commission, allows smoking to continue in bars already in operation. New businesses would have to be smoke-free.
City Commissioner Jeffrey Sanford acknowledges some might find the compromise unfair.
"The people that are already in business that have already made the investments in time and money, I think it would hurt their businesses. Some people have asked me if it gives them an unfair advantage. It may or may not," Sanford told WKU Public Radio. "Sometimes you can't get everything you want, but you have to compromise for the parts and pieces you stand for, and that's what I've done."
With the exception of the 18-and-over establishments and e-cigarettes, the rest of the original ordinance is unchanged. Smoking will be banned in all public places, including parks, private outdoor dining areas and all city-owned properties.
