First smoking ban citation issued in Gainesville

GAINESVILLE - The first citation has been issued for violation of Gainesville's one-month-old ban on smoking in public places.

Police chief Frank Hooper says it was issued about 6:00 Tuesday night at a downtown restaurant after someone complained about a smoker.

Chief Hooper emphasized that his officers are not canvassing places looking for violators, but will respond to complaints. He said a number of warnings were issued between July 1, when the ordinance became effective, and August 1. That, Cooper said, was the plan: to respond to complaints and issue warnings during a 30-day grace period to let people become familiar with the law and to encourage restaurants and other places to post signs informing their customers of the ordinance.

Hooper would not release the man's name at this time - nor would he identify the restaurant.