Maryville city council votes to ban smoking in all restaurants

The Associated Pres

MARYVILLE, Mo. -- "Smoking or non?" is no longer an option in Maryville restaurants.

The city council voted unanimously to ban smoking in all of the city's restaurants, making the northwest Missouri town the first in the state to issue a complete ban on smoking in its restaurants.

No one voiced opposition to the ordinance during the council meeting Monday.

Dr. Pat Harr, a physician at St. Francis Hospital in Maryville, told the council that 400,000 Americans die from smoking each year, with 10 percent of those deaths from second-hand smoke.

'Extraordinary opportunity'

"The council has an extraordinary opportunity here to do something for the health of the citizens of Maryville by passing this ordinance that would allow everyone to eat in a smoke-free environment and thus reduce the risk of significant heart disease," Harr said.

In April, Springfield's City Council banned smoking in some restaurants, but rejected a proposal for a complete ban. Smoking is allowed in Springfield restaurants that, among other criteria, seat less than 50 people, make most of their sales from alcohol or have physically separate smoking and nonsmoking areas. Springfield's ban will take effect July 7.

Establishments that make most of their money from alcohol sales are also excluded from the Maryville ordinance.

Maryville city attorney David Baird said the law would go into effect immediately, carrying a maximum fine of $300.

Baird said both the smoking patron and the restaurant owner could be held responsible if the law is broken.

Councilman John Jasinski said about 95 percent of the constituent calls he received were in favor of the smoking ban. Mayor Ron Moss said he heard overwhelming support for the ordinance and only a few complaints from businesses fearing their smoking patrons would go elsewhere. Moss said he didn't consider that an issue because smoking patrons would have to head out of town instead of to a competing business.

Sharon Wynn, owner of the 3rd Street Diner, said people should have the right to smoke if they choose.

"It just seems like there are so many rules and regulations," Wynn said. "I just wonder sometimes what they're going to do next."