Final push for supporters, opponents of proposed Springfield smoking ban

Voters will decide April 5th whether to 'snuff-out' smoking in public places

April 02, 2011|by Mike Landis, KY3 News | mlandis@ky3.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Supporters and opponents of the proposed indoor smoking ban are spending the final days before the April 5^th vote getting a last word in.

“The main thing is we are encouraging people to read the legislation itself. We find that 50% or so of the people that actually read it come to the conclusion this is going too far,” said Springfield Zone 1 Councilman, an opponent of the proposed ordinance.

“You see a lot of support out there and i think that is what Clean Air Springfield is all about, trying to get out and vote yes on Tuesday,” explained Mark Rushton, a volunteer with Clean Air Springfield, the group pushing for the ban.

The message may be getting louder, but the question remains the same: Should smoking be snuffed out in all public places, including restaurants, bars, tobacco shops, and most hotel rooms?

“I think for Springfield, from looking forward how to attract people, how to attract business- this is the way to do that,” said Rushton.

“This is a philosophical debate, this is about whether or not we believe that there needs to be more government intrusion in businesses at a time when the economy is not stable,” Ibarra said.

Both sides have spent tens of thousands of dollars in recent months on advertising items, ranging from radio commercials to yard signs. The Missouri Ethics Commission reported that as of March 31st, Live Free had received more than $16,500.00 in donations and in-kind contributions, and had spent more than $13,000.00 for it's campaign. The commission also reported that as of March 26th, Clean Air had received more than $65,000.00 in donations and in-kind contributions, and had more than $33,800.00 in expenditures.

On Tuesday, after the votes are counted, both sides will discover if their long fight has paid off.

“Throughout life it’s not worth not fighting what you truly believe in- even if the outcome is not what you want it to be,” said Ibarra.

“I think the community now realizes that this is the way it is eventually going to go this way. So, let’s go ahead and embrace it and make the best of it,” Rushton explained.

|

|

|