As soon as copies of The Messenger hit driveways this morning, Troy’s new no-smoking ordinance will be in effect. That means bars that open up tonight will be smoke free establishments.

“Once the ordinance is published it becomes law and we are duty bound as the executive branch to enforce the laws of the city,” said Mayor Jason A. Reeves. “We will make every effort to educate our citizens and the public on what the law entails so they can be in compliance.”

That includes the city providing a “Cliff’s Notes” version of the 15 page ordinance to business license holders in Troy so it’s easier to read what measures must be taken by business owners.

The city also plans to provide window decals for businesses, notifying patrons that the establishment is smoke free. The City of Troy License and Inspection Department will mail decals to every licensed business in the city limits.

The City of Troy Smoke Free Ordinance of 2013 was approved at Tuesday night’s council meeting where members voted unanimously to pass the law.

The ordinance extends current non-smoking rules to include all restaurants, bars, private clubs, single-tenant commercial office buildings, hotel/motels, tobacco specialty shops, child care and adult care facilities, elevators, health care facilities, apartment common areas, polling places, educational facilities, theaters, sports arenas, service lines and other enclosed places.

According to city officials, places such as the Half Shell and the Troy Country Club will not be grandfathered in. No business is exempt from the ordinance. Establishments with outdoor deck areas, such as Cheers and The Front Porch, will be allowed to modify or use those spaces and still be in compliance with the ordinance, as long as smokers are more than 20 feet from the door.

The ordinance also prohibits smoking within 20 feet of a business’ entrances and exits, operable windows and ventilation systems.

The ordinance does not include private residences or cars.

Any Troy Police Department on-duty officer is now authorized to enforce the ordinance, and the penalty is a $50 fine per individual offense. For businesses, the fine is $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense in the same year, and $500 for each subsequent offense in the same year.

Violations will be treated in the same manner as a traffic violation, according to the ordinance.

If a business owner or manager violates the ordinance, the law says suspension or revocation of any permit or license issued may occur.

To read a copy of the 15-page ordinance, visit troymessenger.com or troyal.gov.