Yesterday, the Garden City Council unanimously passed a smoking ban on first reading. As currently written, the new law would ban smoking inside most public places, although exemptions are made to bars that are 21 and over and bingo halls. In order to become law, the ordinance will have to pass its third reading. Additional amendments could be added and a variety of citizens on both sides are requesting changes to the first reading. While Garden City is not large—its population is only around 10,000—its completely surrounded by Boise, yet governed independently. Boise passed a smoking in 2011, meaning bars in Garden City have been the last in the area to allow smoking. Previously, some members have supported free-market approaches to resolving the matter, something that once again voice at the Monday meeting.
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