SHEFFIELD — Council members will hold a public hearing today to allow the public to express opinions about an ordinance that would prohibit smoking in most public places.

The public hearing will take place during the business meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. in the auditorium on the second floor of City Hall. Discussion could also take place during the work session, which begins at 5 p.m. in the council meeting room, which is also on the second floor.

The ordinance introduced in November by Councilman Steve Stanley would prohibit smoking in essentially all enclosed public places and also place restrictions on smoking in outdoor public areas.

The ordinance would prohibit smoking in bars, convention facilities, public and private educational facilities, health care facilities, hotels and motels, polling places, private clubs, restaurants, retail stores, government offices, sports arenas, both indoor and outdoor, theaters, banks, laundromats and professional offices.