Owensboro’s New Smoking Ban in Effect Today

No more smoking in public!  Owensboro's ban on public smoking is now officially in effect, and here's what you need to know.

Smoking has been banned from most of the public places around the city of Owensboro. This includes parks and city-owned property, as well as outdoor dining areas.

There are exceptions.  Smoking is still allowed on city streets as long as you are not within 25 feet of any entrance where smoking is prohibited.  And, of course, you are allowed inside your home or car, or outside in your yard.

Smoking also remains permitted today inside local bars.  According to the ordinance, bars are defined to be establishments devoted to serving alcoholic beverages while the serving of food is incidental to the consumption of alcohol. Basically, the places excluded in the new ban are places where minors are not allowed to enter in the first place.

Though the ban is officially in effect, officials plan to give people time to acclimate to the new rules.  However, warnings will be issued when someone is seen smoking in a place where it is no longer allowed. After the initial grace period, fines can be issued: $100 for the first offense, and $250 for each additional offense.