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Wildwood draws usual arguments in smoking ban debate
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
9/25/2009
WILDWOOD — Echoing earlier debates around the St. Louis area, some Wildwood residents, students and representatives of health associations Thursday night made an impassioned plea for the City Council to ban smoking in public places.
On the other side, several business owners said that an ordinance prohibiting smoking could drive some restaurants and bars out of business or out of Wildwood.
About 100 people attended the public hearing called by the City Council to discuss a proposed ban. The legislation would restrict smoking in most public places and places of employment throughout the far west suburb, including restaurants and entertainment facilities. The Wildwood ordinance as now proposed would go a step further than others in the area and prohibit smoking on outdoor patios of restaurants.
Resident Lisa Taylor urged the council to "support prioritizing health ... and our rights to clean air." She said many communities and states around the nation already ban smoking in public places.
Several students at Rockwood Middle School urged council members to protect public health and ensure clean air for the future.
Odessa Magafas, 13, said the students had e-mailed surveys to households and students at their school and the overwhelming majority of 373 who responded supported a smoking ban in indoor public areas.
But business owner Liz Elze said she had spent over $100,000 to make her restaurant and bar, Stovall's Rockhorse Saloon, work.
"I'd like to smoke at my own bar," she said. "As a business owner and property owner, I think it's my decision."
Afterward, Mayor Tim Woerther said he favored a public vote on a ban, rather than a prohibition by ordinance. He said the council would discuss the legislation in a work session next week.
Two council members — Tammy Shea, Ward 3, and Jean Vedvig, Ward 4 — said afterward they strongly supported the measure.
"The evidence supports this as a good public health policy," Shea said.
The hearing was held at the St. Louis Community College campus in Wildwood.
Also Thursday night, the St. Louis County Municipal League passed a resolution urging voters to approve a countywide smoking ban on the November ballot.
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