D.C. smoking ban exceptions lights fire under controversy

D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty - -who has been under fire for a host of issues – may have ignited another controversy.

This time the mayor has angered some residents by supporting legislation that lifted the District's smoking ban for two area events on St. Patrick's Day.

Mayor Fenty was a leading sponsor of the 2006 legislation that enacted the ban.

D.C. Council Member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2) sponsored the bill, which gave two groups exemptions from the law. The groups are the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and Fight for Children. The Friendly Sons' event was a gathering for top business and government officials. The Fight For Children was a professional boxing event.

Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray (D) opposed the bill.

According to The Washington Post, Council Member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), who introduced the 2006 smoking ban along with Fenty, said the mayor's seal of approval was "disappointing given his past record and the thin justification for making these exceptions."

Fenty's representatives told the Post that the mayor still supports the smoking ban and "believes it has had a dramatic positive impact."

Time will tell if the smoke from this ban leads to a fire that destroys Fenty's credibility.

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