CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) - The Cape Girardeau City Council has agreed to put before voters a proposed smoking ordinance that several council members feel is too restrictive.
The council had the option of adopting the proposed ordinance or letting voters decide whether it should be enacted. A group called Cape Girardeau Breathe Easy gathered petition signatures to get the ordinance on the April 5 ballot, and council members were not allowed to change the wording.
The Southeast Missourian reports the measure would ban smoking inside all enclosed public places, including casinos, private clubs and all restaurants and bars.
Cape Girardeau has been awarded a license for Missouri's 13th casino. Casinos typically resist smoking bans.
Several council members say the proposal goes too far and they're afraid the ban will hurt businesses.
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Information from: Southeast Missouri, http://www.semissourian.com