The Denver City Council has approved the public smoking ban on 16th Street Mall. The ban takes effect on December 1.
For several weeks, the Denver City Council has been debating about new restrictions on smoking and/or vaping on 16th Street Mall. The decision came to a final vote on Monday, October 30, with a unanimous vote (9-0) to ban smoking. The ban -- "Breathe Easy" -- will start on December 1 and requires smokers/vapers to walk at least 50 feet down a side street (between Broadway and Chestnut Place) before lighting up; cigarettes, cigars, and electronic smoking devices are all banned. Any violation of the ordinance could result in a fine up to $100. But it's important to note that a verbal warning will be administered first before any citations are handed out. The council gave preliminary approval to the "Breathe Easy" campaign a week ago. The campaign will also make it easier to reduce marijuana use on the mall in areas where it is already banned.
Councilman Paul Kashmann is responsible for putting forth the amendment that requires the Denver Police Department to collect data about smoking citations handed out on the mall. The findings will then be shared with the City Council.
There are plans to have a sign to inform people of the new ordinance on every other block on 16th Street Mall, and there will also be leaflets handed out on the mall about the new regulations.
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