Springfield smoking ban goes back to voters

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Springfield residents will be asked to vote on a smoking ban again.

The City Council on Monday voted against repealing the new ban, which sends the law to another vote in June.

Opponents have been trying to repeal the ban since it was approved last April.

The Springfield News-Leader reports ( http://sgfnow.co/GVUXTR ) that possible amendments to the ban will be presented during public hearings before the June vote. The amendments could include exemptions for tobacco shops and electronic cigarettes.

Supporters of the ban have argued the City Charter requires the council to unanimously approve any changes to the smoking ban, but city legal staff has said that provision doesn't apply to approving a citizen-backed petition.

___

Information from: Springfield News-Leader, http://www.news-leader.com

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.