DENVER – An ordinance that would ban smoking on the 16th Street Mall moved a step closer to becoming law.
Members of the Denver City Council gave preliminary approval to the ban, called the “Breathe Easy” campaign, during Monday night’s meeting.
The ordinance would implement a ban on smoking cigarettes, cigars and electronic smoking devices within 50 feet of 16th Street between Broadway and Chestnut Street.
Several representatives from medical fields and transportation zones have expressed support for the measure, saying it would cut down on second-hand smoke for those who don’t smoke.
But some councilors expressed concern that the measure was unfairly targeting low-income and homeless people who are the most-likely to smoke.
A final vote on the proposal could come as soon as Oct. 30.
