Smoking ban sparks discussion

Kellen Jenkins / The Bulletin

Members of the Emporia City Commission listen to arguments by Emporia residents Monday night, both for and against two different proposed smoking ordinances. The majority of those who attended were opposed to both ordinances, which would place strict regulations on where people can smoke within the city limits.

Community members met in the Little Theatre of the Civic Auditorium last Monday to present their opinions to a panel of six city commissioners. The commissioners will vote on whether to implement the ordinance, table it or put it to a city-wide vote.

The main argument made by opposed citizens was the potential effect that the ordinance might have on Emporia’s economy.

“We just lost a trillion dollars in the stock market today,” said K.B. Thomas, Jr., local real estate agent. “I don’t think we need to be putting any rules and regulations on the businesses in town.”

The arguments were heard by a panel of six city commissioners, who will vote on whether to implement the ordinance, table it, or put it to a city wide vote.

Those in favor of the Clean Air Emporia ordinance said that they feel it is selfish of the business owners to put their personal agendas before the public safety and health of their employees and customers.

“I would hope that all businesses would put public health of all of the employees and all of their patrons above the business side of things,” said Bobbi Sauder, director of Clean Air Emporia. “However, when you look at some of these establishments, they are so afraid of losing business, yet they are not marketing to 75 percent of the population which are non smokers.”

Others who are in favor of the smoking ordinance don’t believe that the ordinance will have any effect on the success of businesses if the owners provide the kind of establishment that consumers want.

“When your business is packed, or at capacity or is completely empty it is not because you do or do not let people smoke,” said Angela Blaufuss, ASG president and supporter of the ordinance. “It is the type of business owner you are, the atmosphere you create and the drink specials you offer that determines your success.”

Blaufuss wanted to make clear that she was speaking at the meeting as a community member and not as a representative of all university students.

The people opposed to the ordinance showed their support by nodding in agreement to their speakers and applauding at times, even though the commissioners asked multiple times for them to refrain.

Many of the opposed realized that second hand smoke is a danger to public health. They did not deny that it is recognized as unhealthy. They said that the proposed ordinance is unfair and targets business owners.

“The idea of adding one more burden to the load of what business people have to bear anyway, is unthinkable to me,” said S.C Dixon, owner of The Noose. “This is an adult decision, nobody has to come into our bar and smoke, nobody has to come in and drink, we are the place where people come celebrate their lives. They should be able to celebrate however they please.”

The proposed smoking ordinance by Clean Air Emporia would prohibit smoking inside public establishments and 20 feet from the doors, windows and vents of establishments. A $50 fine is imposed for the first violation, $100 for a second violation and a $500 dollar fine and revocation of the establishment’s city license will occur in the event of a third offense.

The majority of people who attended the hearing were opposed to the ordinance and many people who attended the meeting agreed that the room smelled like cigarette smoke. At one point, community member Steve Courtman prompted all people who attended the hearing to stand if they were opposed to the Clean Air Emporia ordinance. Almost all of the citizens in the gymnasium stood.

Representatives from Clean Air Emporia argued on behalf of the ordinance.

“This is a public health issue and we want people to understand that,” Sauder said. “If you go into a smoking establishment and you don’t smoke, you actually are smoking because you are breathing that air, and when you are breathing that air, it goes into your lungs and it affects every aspect of your body.”

Sauder supported argument about second hand smoke by listing off various health associations around the country that support her claims. Among them were the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Center for Disease Control, The World Health Organization, the National Institute for Health and the Surgeon General’s Report.