Smoking Ban

SPRINGFIELD --   Although voters last year approved a measure that bans smoking in most public places in Springfield, the issue is far from over.      Live Free Springfield collected the necessary signatures to repeal and replace the smoking ban ordinance. Now Springfield City Council can either approve the measure or send it to the voters. Those who want to see the measure approved said the ban has hurt businesses and has had a negative ripple effect. "Employees lose jobs, owners lose investments, landlords lose revenue, neighboring business lose traffic and the city lose the sales tax, vendors lose their accounts, that in turn puts even more jobs in jeopardy," said Jessica Hutson, who spoke out in favor of the proposed ordinance.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Supporters of a smoking ban in businesses and public places in the City of Springfield are making moves for a decision early next year.  Clean Air Springfield is behind a recent petition drive. The group says it’s fighting for the rights of workers who are employed at places where smoking is allowed. Last summer, when a proposed smoking ban ordinance reached the city council, the group pulled its support after it said some council members wanted too many amendments.

SPRINGFIELD --  Although Springfield's smoking ban went into effect a year ago, the debate didn't die at the ballot box. Some are hoping to free restrictions on lighting up. "You should be able to smoke in a bar any given time," said Chelsie Brashear, who supports the repeal. Others prefer the ban in place. "I think it should stay that way. I think it's each individual's right to smoke if they choose to, but as an individual, I don't want to breath their smoke air," said Michael Seeman, who opposes the repeal.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- Springfield's smoking ban just went into effect Saturday, and smokers are just beginning to adjust.  So they won't be happy to hear of another effort that would affect them- a cigarette tax.   No smoking signs are going up at businesses all over Springfield, and smokers have to go outside, at least five feet from the door.  Now, there's an effort to raise the state tax on some cigarettes by a dollar a pack. Mike Snider is one of the regulars at Billiards of Springfield.  "It's one of the few places you can come in and smoke during lunch and eat and relax before you go back to work," Snider says.

SPRINGFIELD -- Springfield Voters will decide the fate of the controversial smoking issue. By a 5 to 4 vote, city council members rejected adopting a new initiative petition ordinance on smoking, which means the bill automatically goes to the voters. The council members who voted in favor of passage include Jeff Seifried, Doug Burlison, Tommy Bieker, and Scott Bailes.  The council members who voted against include Cindy Rushefsky, John Rush, Bob Stephens, Jerry Compton, and Mayor Jim O'Neal.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A petition to overturn Springfield's ban on smoking in most public places has enough signatures to force the City Council to take action.  Voters approved that ban last April and it went into effect in June. A group called Live Free Springfield turned in the petition for a proposed ordinance that would overturn the smoking ban.  City Clerk Brenda Cirtin says her office certified that the petition has 2,171 valid signatures of registered voters in the city; the group needed at least 2,101 valid signatures.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- After nearly a year of renovations, Springfield's Park Central Square has re-opened.  It drew quite a crowd Friday night, especially with the First Friday Art Walk.   It has fancy lights, the same giant fountain, and an open welcoming feel.  "I think the improvements are going to be a big help to the square," says Ryan MacDonald, owner and operator of Trolley's on the square. It's been worth the wait, but it seemed like forever.  "Centuries!" says MacDonald.  "It was a tough year with the square being closed, and jack hammering and streets being blocked off. " Trolley's hopes to see an increase in business, after being down about 45% due to the square closure and the smoking ban.  "We're hoping it will make a large impact on us and downtown as well," says MacDonald.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Springfield businesses are thinking outside the box when it comes to accommodating customers who smoke. Now into the second week of Springfield's smoking ban, several bars are looking outside to keep smokers coming in. On the streets of downtown Springfield, you're apt to find more smokers these days. Mainly because they're no longer inside. "Up and down South Street it's pretty much a smoking lounge," said Matt Netzer, owner of The Outland. "We're doing our best to keep it clean and keep people out of the way of pedestrians.

SPRINGFIELD Mo. -- Mayor Jim O'Neal resigned on Monday night after a long meeting in which the council amend the city's year-old anti-smoking ordinance.  O'Neal caught the packed meeting room by surprise with the announcement.  O'Neal says the decision was one of personal and business issues, and not reflective of the contentious months-long debate over amending the voter-approved ban on smoking in most public places in the city.  O'Neal...

ST. LOUIS (AP) - The growing number of Missouri communities banning smoking in public places could face stiff financial penalties under a proposal from a state lawmaker.   The measure sponsored by Republican Rep. Kathie Conway of St. Charles County would require cities and counties to turn over to local school districts the property and sales tax revenue they get from businesses affected by tobacco restrictions.   Conway told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that she is seeking to protect the rights of the owners of bars, restaurants and other businesses to decide for themselves whether to allow smoking.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- In just a few weeks most public places in Springfield will be smoke free.  Until then, groups are preparing the city. More than 100 people picked up cigarette butts in downtown on Saturday.  Drury University students, along with people from One Air Alliance, spent the day walking up and down streets in the downtown area.  Volunteers say there is plenty to do before the smoking ban goes into effect. Chelsey Hall is one of the many volunteers who braved the cold to clean the streets.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Businesses are trying to understand what the smoking ban approved by voters will mean for them.  They're learning it will extend well beyond their front doors and will cost them when the ordinance is effective on June 11.  After further review of the new smoking ordinance, city staff members say signs on entrance doors are not enough to comply with the new rules. For the last 50 years, Ozark Fence and Supply Company has put up fences for businesses and homes in and around Springfield.  While this industry does not always work directly with the public, it too will have to follow Springfield's new ban on smoking in public places and places of employment.

In just a few weeks most of the restaurants in Springfield will be smoke free and some restaurant mangers in nearby cities hope to profit from that. It's just a few miles south of the Springfield city limit line and restaurants mangers in Ozark say they hope to benefit from the soon to be smoking ban. Mangers say they welcome the smokers because they want the business. "Come on down. I'll take all the business I can get," said Joseph Pacheco with Primas Mexican Grill in Ozark.

NIXA, Mo. -- Springfield's city-wide ban on smoking inside a business or private club goes into effect in just over two months.   The city is not the first in the area to ban smoking, however.  Soon all the bars and grills all over the city, and every other business, will be doing what places like Coyote's Nixa Grill did a few years ago -- adapt. Lynn and Sandra Mitchell go to Coyote's for the atmosphere, the food, and the clean air.  "It's nice to walk in and not smell the cigarette smoke at all," said Lynn Mitchell.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The day after the city’s voters said “No more smoking in most public places,” a lot of questions were unanswered about how it will go into effect.  Voters approved the ban by 53 to 47 percent margin; it goes into effect 60 days after the election results are certified. On Wednesday, even City Attorney Dan Wichmer wasn't sure how it will be implemented.  He and the city's legal staff have two months to figure out the 11-page ordinance . As one reads it now, it would ban smoking inside all businesses -- even in places created for smoking, like The Albatross Hookah Lounge on East Walnut Street near Jefferson Avenue.  Angry owners and customers plan to fight.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Voters approved a ban on smoking in nearly all public places in the city on Tuesday.  Q: When will the smoking ban go into effect? A: The smoking ban will go into effect 60 days after the election results are certified, so it will be early to mid-June. Q: Does the ban include all public buildings? A: Almost.  The language approved by voters prohibits smoking in "enclosed public places, places of employment and private clubs.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.-- Two months from now, it will be against the law to light up at almost all Springfield businesses.  While many business that now allow smoking are worried about their future, some of their own customers are welcoming the soon to be cleaner air. For those businesses that rely on hobbies like bingo, billiards and bowling, it's an uncertain time.  Some will, no doubt, appreciate smoke-free air, but for others, it may be too...

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?

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Smoking brought dozens of people to a public forum on Tuesday night.  At issue is whether smoking should be banned in public places -- including restaurants, bars and businesses -- throughout the Queen City. Voters will decide the ballot initiative on April 5.  Before they cast their ballots, both sides presented their arguments. "Secondhand smoke is a proven health hazard, not just a nuisance," said Dr. David Redfern, who is for the smoking ban. "The law is not about statistics or reports, it's not about an individual's health or public health, it's about freedom," said Dr. John Lilly, who is against the smoking ban. Audience members were encouraged to submit written questions for both sides to debate.

EUREKA SPRINGS, Ark. - It seems this Victorian-era village has something for everyone- from the quaint shops and cafes to the hotels and parks steeped in history.   But there's something many tourists experience in those parks that some locals would like to snuff-out.   “You could be sitting next to somebody smoking or a cigar or something like that. It ruins the atmosphere of the park,” explained James DeVito, owner of DeVito’s Restaurant.   DeVito says Basin Park downtown has become a common spot for some to take smoke breaks.