CLAYTON, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) -
There was a crowd inside Clayton City Hall Tueday night, as people were sounding off over lighting up. Clayton is considering a smoking ban and the first public hearing drew a much tamer crowd than is expected at the second hearing May 12. Clayton city residents were the only speakers allowed Tuesday night. The second hearing will be when restaurant and bar owners get their say.
Tuesday's crowd was rather lopsided, in favor of the ban. The city manager says a recent survey of residents showed 77 percent support the proposed ordinance.
"I am 100 percent supportive of a smoking ordinance in Clayton," one resident told the Board of Aldermen.
"I urge you to vote for the public good over the private interest," said another.
The lobbying started long before the public hearing did. Aldermen had to walk through rally signs and drive by them too, held by smoking ban supporters, some way to young to smoke but old enough to have an opinion, like eight year old Ethan Wilhold.
"Honk if you want smoke free air," he said, reading from his sign as he tried to encourage cars passing outside city hall to honk. "If people stopped smoking, the air would be better."
There are those who believe smoking is a right, and deciding whether to allow it in a restaurant or bar is a right, too. Very few at Tuesday's public hearing made that point.
Most said they have a right to smoke-free air.
"Scientific evidence indicates there is no risk-free level of exposure to second hand smoke," a Clayton cardiologist said at the hearing.
Another added, "the idea that a smoke free law would cause a restaurant to lose business is a myth created by the tobacco industry."
Barrister's Owner Jason Tilford disagrees. He says time are tough for every restaurant and bar owners. He questions why anyone would do anything that might jeopardize business.
Tuesday's crowd was rather lopsided, in favor of the ban. The city manager says a recent survey of residents showed 77 percent support the proposed ordinance.
"I am 100 percent supportive of a smoking ordinance in Clayton," one resident told the Board of Aldermen.
"I urge you to vote for the public good over the private interest," said another.
The lobbying started long before the public hearing did. Aldermen had to walk through rally signs and drive by them too, held by smoking ban supporters, some way to young to smoke but old enough to have an opinion, like eight year old Ethan Wilhold.
"Honk if you want smoke free air," he said, reading from his sign as he tried to encourage cars passing outside city hall to honk. "If people stopped smoking, the air would be better."
There are those who believe smoking is a right, and deciding whether to allow it in a restaurant or bar is a right, too. Very few at Tuesday's public hearing made that point.
Most said they have a right to smoke-free air.
"Scientific evidence indicates there is no risk-free level of exposure to second hand smoke," a Clayton cardiologist said at the hearing.
Another added, "the idea that a smoke free law would cause a restaurant to lose business is a myth created by the tobacco industry."
Barrister's Owner Jason Tilford disagrees. He says time are tough for every restaurant and bar owners. He questions why anyone would do anything that might jeopardize business.
