Seymour’s City Council voted Nov. 20 to advance a proposed no‑smoking ordinance that would prohibit smoking and vaping near building entry points but allow a designated smoking patio provided it is not at a main entrance and does not share ventilation with indoor spaces.

Council members discussed two draft options — one that required a specific‑use permit (SPU) for smoking areas and one that did not. The council settled on language that removes the SPU requirement but specifies that a smoking patio cannot be at the main public entrance. Council members debated buffer distance (a 10‑ to 20‑foot buffer was discussed) and whether to include vaping and lighted tobacco products; the adopted language will be posted for public notice and refined with legal counsel.

During debate one council member summarized the practical concern: "I don't wanna smell fruity pebbles while I eat steak either," underscoring business and patron concerns about indoor smoking or smell. Staff said the ordinance can be written to set the buffer distance from specified entry points and to exclude areas that share a ventilation system.

The council’s vote directs staff and legal counsel to finalize ordinance language for public notice and hearing; council members said they want clarity that a smoking patio cannot be at the main entrance and that shared ventilation is disallowed for designated smoking spaces.