Joey Garrison

USA Today Network - Tennessee

No more lighting up at Ascend Amphitheater.

The Metro Council approved a new smoking ban for Nashville’s new west riverfront amphitheater on a final of three votes Tuesday that will outlaw smoking anywhere in the 6,000-seat venue — meaning even smoking sections for cigarette users will be prohibited.

The ban will go into effect July 1, thus applying to the second half of this year’s season of shows scheduled for Ascend Amphitheater, which is owned by Metro government and operated by live music entertainment giant Live Nation.

The legislation was sponsored by Councilman Dave Rosenberg of Bellevue, who has said smoking at public events is unhealthy and unpleasant for people sitting near that person.

His bill received only one no-vote on Tuesday. That came from Councilman Robert Swope, a smoker, who said a cigarette ban infringes on his rights.

The new local policy comes after the state legislature this year approved enabling legislation to permit Metro to prohibit smoking at only Ascend Amphitheater. Normally under state law, municipalities aren’t authorized to regulate smoking at facilities owned by local governments. That power is reserved for the state typically.

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Reach Joey Garrison at 615-259-8236 and and on Twitter @joeygarrison.