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Efforts Renewed To Ban Smoking In Kirkwood
Webster-Kirkwood Times
6/12/2009
The issue of placing a ban on smoking in public places has again come to the forefront in Kirkwood.
The group Healthy Air for Kirkwood has initiated a petition to ban smoking in public places, hoping the petition will result in a ballot measure in November 2009.
Should the measure make it to the ballot, it will mark the second time Kirkwood voters have been asked to decide the issue. In November 2006, 54.63 percent of voters rejected a smoking ban.
The petition is facing strong objections even before the necessary signatures have been collected. About 1,100 signatures are needed. Once signatures are certified by the St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, the Kirkwood City Council then determines if the measure should be placed on the ballot.
Jean Loemker of Healthy Air was among residents who spoke at the June 4 city council meeting. Loemker was also involved in the 2006 petition drive initiated by Citizens for a Smoke-Free Kirkwood.
"I've worked in healthcare for more than 25 years," Loemker said. "And I see what second-hand smoke, and those who smoke, what it does to their health."
But some residents claim they should have a choice whether to smoke, even in public establishments.
Resident Steve Sheridan is in favor of maintaining the current smoking and non-smoking areas in restaurants.
"Give people a choice," Sheridan said to the council. "I don't think the role of the government is to eliminate the choice of the people."
Loemker argued that she shouldn't be limited to where she can go around town because of second-hand smoke. She said employees do not have a choice, that they are forced to take in second-hand smoke.
Kirkwood resident Joe Toenjes said the petition is an abuse of the initiative petition system and the community's tax dollars. He wants to form a citizens' group to defeat the measure if Healthy Air continues on its current course.
Toenjes said he would like to see the fight over smoking play out in a larger arena -- Jefferson City-- and pointed out that 33 states have established state-wide smoking bans.
Council Member Paul Ward agreed.
"This needs to be either a county, region or statewide decision," Ward said.
Ward did not agree, however, that the petition was waste of taxpayer dollars. He said citizens had every right to pursue the matter through petition.
"I'm not a smoker," Ward said. "I don't like smoking, but the law is the law. If we have this process, as far as I'm concerned we're going to follow the process until the city no longer wants the process."
Ward said the council will probably address the issue in a town hall meeting, a forum where residents will have the opportunity to share their views. Ward said some ballot measures are defeated only to be passed the second time around.He cited the sales tax measure in Kirkwood that was passed on the second vote.
"I support non-smoking because I want a healthy environment as well," Ward said. "But I have a higher responsibility than my own. I have to listen to those that are experts telling me the effects of smoking. I have to listen to business owners because I'm not a restaurant owner. I must listen to all of these things and figure out what is best for the community."
Healthy Air likely will gain some momentum in the wake of Clayton's consideration of the issue. In late May, aldermen in that city passed a first reading of a bill to ban smoking in public establishments. The bill will come up for a second and final reading in July. If passed, the Clayton smoking ban will go into effect July 2010.
Healthy Air intends to collect signatures at public locales, such as Station Plaza and the Kirkwood Farmer's Market. The group also intends to hold an event at Station Plaza, called "Clearing the Air Day," on June 27. Live music is planned, and those attending can learn about non-smoking environments.
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