The new ordinance that was passed prohibits smoking in public places with the exception of tobacco shops, bowling alleys and bars that do 55 percent of their business selling alcohol.

The city council has been considering this ban for about a year and council members have heard from supporters and opponents. However, even with the ban passed, both sides are still upset.

Supporters of the ban told council members Monday night that they felt burned from the new ordinance. They said they have fought to make all public places smoke-free and urged council members not to water down the ban.

Opponents of the ban felt that there should have not been a ban at all. They told council members that the public should be the ones to decide whether a certain establishment should be smoke-free.

The new smoking ban will go into effect on April 4, 2005.

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