COUNCIL TO CONSIDER BAN ON SMOKING IN GROCERY STORES

The Cape Girardeau City Council will consider an ordinance banning smoking in grocery stores tonight.

The ordinance, which includes fines and prison terms for violators, was prepared in response to a request of the council at its June 3 meeting. It is scheduled for the first reading tonight.

The council meets at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 401 Independence.

The no-smoking issue has been before the City Council since May 6, when a no-smoking law was proposed by a Southeast Missouri State University class.

The proposed no-smoking ordinance reads, in part: "The possession of lighted smoking materials in any form, including, but not limited to, the possession of lighted cigarettes, cigars, pipes or other tobacco products, is unlawful in grocery stores when such grocery stores are used by or open to the public or serving as a place of work."

It also states that "Any person violating, neglecting or refusing to comply with any provision of this ordinance shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $500 or by imprisonment not exceeding three months or by both."

The ordinance allows grocery stores to establish smoking areas, but stores are not required to do so.

The ordinance requires that grocery store owners or managers post no-smoking signs and ask shoppers to stop smoking when they are violating this ordinance.

The council will also consider a curfew for city cemeteries between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The ordinance would be similar to the ordinance currently enforced in city parks.

Also on the agenda is an agreement between the city and Kelley Transportation Co. for the subsidized taxi-coupon service. A second ordinance would authorize an agreement with the state for the taxi coupon program.

Several amendments to the city's criminal code are also on the council's agenda.