The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gwinnett broadens smoking, vaping bans
Ordinance includes e-cigarettes and vape devices.
A new ordinance broadening smoking prohibitions in Gwinnett County will take effect later this month, after the county commission last week unanimously approved it.“i urge you all to vote yes and put the health of the newest generation — my generation really — first,” Juan Borrego, a graduating senior at Buford High School, said to commissioners before the vote.
The commission repealed the county’s 2005 Clean Indoor Air Ordinance and replaced it with the Smokefree Air Ordinance, reflecting new bans on smoking outdoors. The new ordinance takes effect June 23.
The old ordinance generally prohibited smoking in indoor public places and workplaces. The new one updates the definition of “smoking” to include vaping and e-cigarette use, and bans it in outdoor work areas and public recreation spaces as well.
The old smoking ban contained 12 exemptions, including long-term care facilities, outdoor areas of workplaces and some hotel and motel rooms. Bars and restaurants were exempt if they denied access to minors.
The new ordinance reduces the exemptions to three: private residences, cigar bars and hookah lounges.
Smoking and vaping now also are banned in outdoor arenas, stadiums and amphitheaters in Gwinnett, as well as outdoor public transportation stations. The ban extends to outdoor common areas of multi-unit residential facilities, except in designated smoking areas that must be at least 15 feet from entrances, windows or ventilation systems.
People who violate the ordinance can be fined up to $50. People who own or operate public spaces or workplaces that violate the ordinance can be fined up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for a second violation within a year and $500 for each additional violation within a year.
The American Heart Association, American Lung Association and GUIDE, Inc., a substance abuse prevention organization, collaborated with the county to strengthen the ordinance, Deputy County Attorney Theresa Cox said.
Several people spoke in favor of the new restrictions at last week’s commission meeting, and no one spoke in opposition.
Borrego’s twin brother, Marco, referenced the popularity of youth vaping and its harmful effects. The twins founded Vaping-attention to Prevention, a national nonprofit. Their mother, Justine Henao, is a doctor.
“At a time when my boys are being exposed to more and more youth vaping, this policy will ensure a healthier community and will limit the number of people my boys, and the youth, see smoking and vaping in public places,” Henao said.
Onjewel Smith of Boca Raton, Florida, spoke on behalf of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights, a national organization advocating for smoke-free workplaces.
“This policy is not about banning smoking, but it is about asking people who wish to smoke to do so in ways that do not harm other people,” Smith said. ”Smokefree policies are good for business. They create environments that are welcoming to everyone.”
County Commission Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson commended the youth who spoke.
“This is how you demonstrate leadership, is to show up and advocate for things that you believe in,” Hendrickson said.
The Dekalb County Board of Education voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with extensive renovations at the aging Druid Hills High School.
Previously, the board opted not to modernize the school three times, despite outcry from local and state officials over poor conditions at the facilities. The Georgia Department of Education in recent weeks has told the board to commit to the modernization or risk losing state funding for construction projects districtwide.
“I am proud to say today that we’re in unison, that we want what’s good for this district,” said board Chair Vickie Turner. “It feels quite refreshing that we’ve made this progress.”
The Tuesday vote will add Druid Hills High to the already-approved five-year building plan. It opens the door for the district to receive state funding and will satisfy some of the requirements set by the Department of Education.
Dekalb is the state’s third-largest school district, with nearly 94,000 students.
The modernization will cost $50 million, according to an updated estimate presented Tuesday. It will include updates to heating and air conditioning systems, roofing and plumbing. That process is slated to begin in September, using funding from the local option sales tax for education.
The controversy over the school began in February, when board members opted not to update the high school campus. This prompted students at the school to publish a video showcasing electrical issues, plumbing problems and water damage. The board revisited the decision two more times, but rather than approving the upgrades, it decided to prioritize smaller, critical projects across the district.
Georgia School Superintendent Richard Woods got involved, criticizing the board for what he called egregious conditions at the school. In response, Turner blamed the school’s conditions on Cheryl Watson-harris, who was soon fired as superintendent.
State Department of Education officials issued a corrective action plan, outlining a list of improvements the district must make if it wants access to millions of dollars in reimbursement for other construction projects. It hired a special adviser in an “unprecedented” move to help make sure those improvements happen.
The action plan requires “a formal, written acknowledgment” of the district’s commitment to modernizing Druid Hills High “in a timely manner.” It also lists immediate needs at the school that should be addressed by June 30.
About 60% of the immediate needs identified in the plan have already been addressed, interim Superintendent Vasanne Tinsley said Tuesday. She reported that a sewer line repair in the senior courtyard is projected to be completed by Friday. Roof repairs should be completed within two weeks. And fixes are in progress for all documented heating, ventilation and air conditioning issues.
Air testing found no visible mold growth within the facility. The school also passed an inspection from the fire marshal.
“The conditions of all schools in the district are important,” Tinsley said. “The facilities team will continue to work in support of those other sites.”