Smoking ban goes to Cape Girardeau voters April 5

Monday, January 17, 2011

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — Cape Girardeau voters will decide April 5 on a measure that would ban smoking in all public places, including bars and casinos.

The Southeast Missourian reports the City Council voted unanimously at a special meeting Friday to put the issue on the April ballot. The decision came after a motion to postpone the decision for a week failed on a split vote.

Councilman Mark Lanzotti had suggested waiting a week to see if a compromise was possible that would allow smoking in establishments that allow only people over 21 years old to enter.

A member of the group that organized a petition drive for the smoking ban says the group didn’t want to commit to discussing a compromise.

Some council members and businesses have called the proposed ban too restrictive.