Unalaska, AK – This story originally aired on April 1, 2009.

During last week's city council meeting, the council discussed the proposed smoking ban. Unlike previous meetings that attracted dozens of citizens, this time only a handful made comments. The proposed ordinance bans smoking in all public places and places that employ four or more people or provide childcare while the children are there. Some council members suggested banning smoking in homes that provide commercial childcare at all times.

The proposed ordinance does not ban smoking in hotel rooms or in employee housing, other than in bunkhouses. The new version also would allow smoking in a stand alone bar that employs fewer than four people. Currently that does not apply to any bar. The ban allows smoking at least 10 feet from most entrances. If a person violates the ban, he or she would be fined $100. Businesses could also be fined if they don't post signs, remove ash trays, or take other measures to prevent smoking in their establishments. If the ban is enacted either by the council or by a public vote, it would go into affect January 1, 2010. Though the council is still debating some of the wording and some of the specifics, especially regarding smoking in workshops that are not visited by the public, both the council and the community members thought this version was more appropriate for Unalaska.