Voters in Kearney, Mo. will decide whether or not a smoking ban is right for their city, as the city’s Board of Aldermen decided to put the matter on the Aug. 4 ballot during their meeting on Monday. The proposal seeks to ban smoking in all enclosed places of employment and public places within the city, or within 10 feet of the primary entrance or exit of any of those places. The few exemptions would be for outdoor patios of bars and restaurants, up to 25% of hotel or motel rooms, and private residences that are not used as places of employment. Violators would be subject to a $50 fine, while owners or operators of places where smoking is prohibited who allow smoking would be fined $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second violation and $500 for a third violation within a one-year period. Kearney had a 2013 population estimate of 9,038 people. It is located approximately 25 miles northeast of Kansas City.
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