Smoking Ban Passes in Owensboro

Henceforth, if you're in a public place like a park or an outdoor dining facility, you will no longer be able to smoke.

Big events like, say, the Barbecue Festival? Forget it. Don't light up.

Because here's what will happen if you do. You'll get clicked for $100 on your first offense. Do it again within a year and it'll be a $250 fine. That same amount will be applied to any subsequent offense within a year's time.

Existing bars that have allowed smoking have been grandfathered in and will be allowed to let their customers continue to smoke. For any new bar that goes up, the ban will be in place.

Also, E-cigarettes will be allowed in public places. They are not covered under the ordinance.