Southwest Missouri city council rejects smoking ban approved by popular vote

WEBB CITY, Mo. -- Although Webb City voters supported a smoking ban, the city council voted against implementing the ban in the southwest Missouri city. The council voted 5-3 Monday night against the ban. Webb City residents voted 452-348 on April 5 in favor of the ban. Mayor John Biggs said the vote was only a straw vote to guide the council. Opponents had argued the ban infringed on the rights of citizens, particularly business owners. Proponents say smoking is a health issue even for nonsmokers. The Joplin Globe reported that the ban would have prohibited smoking in public places or places of work. Smoking would have been allowed in buildings used by dues-paying members and stores that primarily sell tobacco. Cape Girardeau rejected its own public smoking ban by a popular vote, with 3,997 no votes to 3,672 yes votes.

Pertinent address:

Webb City, MO