Effort to repeal Columbia smoking ban falls short

The Associated Press

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- An attempt to repeal a city ban on public smoking has fallen short of the necessary number of voter signatures needed to revive the measure.

A petition submitted by two business owners opposed to the smoking ban had just over half of the 2,579 signatures needed from registered voters, City Clerk Sheela Amin said.

And while the petition sponsors still have time to collect the remaining signatures needed, ballot backer John Thiel said he is done fighting the ban on smoking in bars and restaurants.

"We've done our part," said Thiel, co-owner of Otto's Corner Bar and Grill in downtown Columbia. "We see (collecting the remaining signatures) as pushing a big rock up a hill."

Thiel said he instead plans to appeal directly to the City Council to put the issue on the spring 2008 ballot. The council approved an ordinance establishing the ban by a 4-3 vote last fall.

Only two of the elected officials who initially voted against the smoking restrictions remain on the council. Two new members say they support the ban.