Vote of Smoking Ban Amendments Delayed Due to Partial Council Presence
By: Kevin Schwaller
Updated: April 23, 2012
(Springfield, MO) -- The Springfield City Council is considering loosening the smoking ban.
Monday night Council heard from actors, business owners, supporters and opponents of the ban.
Supporters of the ban say they want something comprehensive, but they compromise on some issues. Other speakers say the ordinance is hurting business. Actors say they want to be able to smoke on stage and on screen.
Johnny Copeland smokes outside his work at Discount Smoke Shop ever since the smoking ban went into effect. He doesn't think the rules should stop him or his customers from puffing away inside.
"Everybody's coming in to buy cigarettes or chewing tobacco," Copeland says. "You know, they're here for that. So they know what to expect when. They come in."
Now possible amendments to the ban in front of Springfield City Council include exemptions for tobacco shops, e-cigarettes private clubs, bingo parlors and cigar clubs along with other changes.
City Manager Greg Burris says, "I think this is city council listening to citizens and concerns that came forward because the ban that's in effect right now is a total ban."
A group supporting the ban called One Air Alliance has concerns with some of the bills and proposed language.
"A comprehensive [rule] is what is the most fair," says One Air Alliance spokesperson Stephen Hall.
However, the alliance is not opposed to compromise. Hall says One Air Alliance can agree to eliminating e-cigarettes from the ban, allowing an exemption for tobacco shops that make at least 70 percent of their money from tobacco sales and a change to allow smoking in private clubs with no employees present.
"We remain committed to compromise on this issue if it can be achieved," Hall says. "But we're encouraging city council to take into account the language that we have already provided them on several occasions."
Still, other critics want to get rid of the whole ban. A group called Live Free Springfield got enough signatures to put a repeal in front of voters.
The issues did not go to an initial vote Monday night because the full council wasn't there. The council is looking at both exemptions and some grandfather clauses. And before the end, we could see council put various amendments into one super amendment.
City Council can't pass an amendment with just a majority vote. Because this was a voter approved ban, the council has to pass the amendment by a unanimous vote.
Monday night Council heard from actors, business owners, supporters and opponents of the ban.
Supporters of the ban say they want something comprehensive, but they compromise on some issues. Other speakers say the ordinance is hurting business. Actors say they want to be able to smoke on stage and on screen.
Johnny Copeland smokes outside his work at Discount Smoke Shop ever since the smoking ban went into effect. He doesn't think the rules should stop him or his customers from puffing away inside.
"Everybody's coming in to buy cigarettes or chewing tobacco," Copeland says. "You know, they're here for that. So they know what to expect when. They come in."
Now possible amendments to the ban in front of Springfield City Council include exemptions for tobacco shops, e-cigarettes private clubs, bingo parlors and cigar clubs along with other changes.
City Manager Greg Burris says, "I think this is city council listening to citizens and concerns that came forward because the ban that's in effect right now is a total ban."
A group supporting the ban called One Air Alliance has concerns with some of the bills and proposed language.
"A comprehensive [rule] is what is the most fair," says One Air Alliance spokesperson Stephen Hall.
However, the alliance is not opposed to compromise. Hall says One Air Alliance can agree to eliminating e-cigarettes from the ban, allowing an exemption for tobacco shops that make at least 70 percent of their money from tobacco sales and a change to allow smoking in private clubs with no employees present.
"We remain committed to compromise on this issue if it can be achieved," Hall says. "But we're encouraging city council to take into account the language that we have already provided them on several occasions."
Still, other critics want to get rid of the whole ban. A group called Live Free Springfield got enough signatures to put a repeal in front of voters.
The issues did not go to an initial vote Monday night because the full council wasn't there. The council is looking at both exemptions and some grandfather clauses. And before the end, we could see council put various amendments into one super amendment.
City Council can't pass an amendment with just a majority vote. Because this was a voter approved ban, the council has to pass the amendment by a unanimous vote.
Comments
I understand that there are seven amendments to be considered by the City Council.
My recommendation for the voting would be the following:
1. NO
2. NO
3. NO
4. NO
5. NO
6. NO
7. NO
Phil K.
April 27, 2012 at 12:09 am
