PEOPLE

The Southeast Missourian asked people what they thought about an ordinance which, if passed by the Cape Girardeau City Council, would prohibit smoking in grocery stores in the city.

John Hoffman: "I hate to tell people what to do, but non-smokers are the majority. People have to go to the grocery store, so I think smokers should just smoke outside. It's better that the city council pass the ordinance so that the store owners don't have to be the bad guys."

Jayne Ervin: "I'm not a smoker, but I think it's ridiculous that the city council would think about passing such an ordinance. Individual business owners should take care of that by posting signs on their own. It's just government control, and we don't need that."

Lori Godfrey: "I think it's a good idea because second-hand smoke can be dangerous to others. I would rather see that the store owners would take the initiate for the public health, but I'm glad to see that the city council is taking it up."

Keith Reed: "I think smoking should be prohibited in places where people have to go, such as grocery stores. If it's a place that you go to by choice, then smoking should be allowed. I think that smokers would be more inclined not to smoke if it's prohibited by an ordinance."

Bill Cole: "I really don't think it's worth the time, because I don't think that we have that much of a problem with smoking in grocery stores, as long as it's not a fire hazard. I've noticed it, but it's not excessive. I am not a smoker."

Sharon Henson: "I try to be aware of people that I am near when I smoke, and I am becoming more uncomfortable when I smoke publicly. I think it would upset me, though, to know that I could not smoke in a grocery store."