Some Commissioners want to revisit the City of Owensboro’s smoking ordinance again — but this time to consider prohibiting vaping as well, as they think it’s a “gateway drug.”
City Commissioner Bob Glenn said when the original ordinance was adopted in 2014, not much was known about vaping. As more research has come out about vaping effects, he feels it’s time to reconsider.
“It’s extremely dangerous, and it is the gateway for young people, as young as middle school, to begin smoking. So I would ask the commission or our staff to look at the idea of adding vaping to that ordinance,” Glenn said.
He noted that it shouldn’t be a complicated addition to the ordinance.
Mayor Tom Watson said that he has been in contact with the Green River District Health Department Director Clay Horton to have a presentation at a future meeting.
If the ordinance were to be amended, it would have to be presented two times during a public meeting before Commissioners could vote on the action item.
The City Commission revisited the 2014 ordinance earlier this year when considering whether to allow cigarette smoking in particular situations of sizeable economic investment — namely at the request of Churchill Downs Incorporated for their Ellis Park extension facility.
At that meeting, Dr. Alan Mullins with Owensboro Health came forward and did not support the amendment, as did several other community members. After the City delayed a vote, CDI later nixed its plans to use Towne Square Mall for the extension facility. The City subsequently did not re-address the ordinance.
