Group proposes Sikeston go smoke-free

Jay Lancaster, public works director, explains the location of the area to be rezoned during the Sikeston Special City Council meeting Monday. Pictured from left are: Lancaster, Council members Karen Evans, Ryan Merideth, Maude Harris; City Administrator Jon Douglas; and Mayor Steven Burch. The council approved the rezoning. (Jill Bock, Staff)

SIKESTON -- Should Sikeston become the next smoke-free city in Missouri? Several area residents urged the Sikeston City Council to take that action during Monday's special city council meeting while the proposal left others fuming.

The citizen's group "Smoke-Free Sikeston" proposed the council adopt a "simple, strong and fair law" for the community banning smoking in public places.

According to Smoke-Free Sikeston member Brenda Freed, secondhand smoke, not only from cigarettes and cigars but also from the air exhaled by smokers, is dangerous to everyone. She said Missouri has recorded 9,500 deaths from smoking, including the deaths of 900 nonsmokers.

Also Freed noted Scott and Mississippi counties have a higher percentage of smokers and a higher mortality rate from smoking than the state average.

The use of filters on ventilation systems is not totally effective in removing dangerous particles found in secondhand smoke, she said. "The only means of effectively eliminating (the danger) is to ban smoking," Freed stated.

Marcie Lawson pointed out tobacco use accounts for billions in lost dollars to businesses both in productivity and medical claims.

In the 11 communities which have gone smoke-free in Missouri, none suffered a negative impact. In fact, she continued, some actually saw an increase in business.

"Smoke-free policies are not against smokers," emphasized Jeff Partridge but the opportunity to improve the environment for everyone in public places. He urged the council to take a step and be a leader in the area by banning smoking in Sikeston.

Councilman Jon Gilmore asked whether the action to ban smoking was council-led or by public vote in the other Missouri communities. A member of the group noted initially voters brought about the smoke-free communities, however more recently it was through council-led initiatives.

When questioned whether going smoke-free should be by incremental, group members responded that by requiring all public places to be smoke-free creates "a level playing field" for the community's businesses.

A spokesman with the American Legion Auxiliary said participants at their bingo would not like the smoke-free ordinance and would stop attending the local bingo games. In turn, she said, this would reduce the amount of charitable contributions the group could provide in the community.

Smoke-Free Sikeston provided the council with a sample ordinance on the banning of smoking in public places for its consideration.

For more of the story, see Wednesday's Standard Democrat.