Print Email

See the proposed smoking ordiance (Updated)

By APRIL MIDDLETON

Salina Journal

Nearly everyone who spoke Thursday at a public forum on a proposed smoking ordinance agree the proposal pits public health against business owners' rights.

The two sides disagree on which should be more important.

It's a complicated issue, Salina School Board member Phil Black said.

A vote for the ordinance is a vote against business freedom; a vote against it is a vote for smoking, he said.

"As Americans, part of our spirit is to improve the lot of our future generations. That will take sacrifice. It always does," he said.

Cities that have passed all-encompassing bans on smoking have sent the message to children that "smoking is frowned upon," Black said. Since no one wants children to smoke, a ban is a worthwhile sacrifice, he said.

"Let's make a sacrifice that will help our kids live a better, healthier life," Black said.

Black was among more than 50 people who attended a public forum Thursday night to discuss the proposed ordinance, which would ban smoking in all indoor public places.

The Salina City Commission approved the ordinance on first reading Monday with a vote of 3-2. The ordinance won't go into the books until the commission approves it on second reading, scheduled for Jan. 26.

Comments from Thursday's forum and another that will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday will be forwarded to city commissioners before that final vote is taken.

Public input is important in the process, City Manager Jason Gage told attendees.

Commissioners, with their comments and their split vote, "made it very clear their minds aren't made up yet," Gage said.

The majority of the comments came from proponents of the ordinance.

That's not really a surprise, said Leonard Dahl, who has for 42 years owned The Hide-A-Way, a small bar at 540 Willis Ave.

Smokers are the minority, he said. But they still have rights. And so do business owners, he said.

"I conduct my business in the best way I know how. If you don't agree with the way I run my business, then stay away," Dahl said.

Many of those who spoke in opposition of the ordinance took exception to the fact that bars were included.

Those people said they don't have a problem with the current ordinance or one that would prohibit smoking in places that children occupy. Bars, though, are for adults.

As adults, "it's our right to choose how we run our business and where we go," Salinan Elizabeth Owens, said.

Trent Davis, a member of the Tobacco Prevention Coalition, said that isn't the solution.

"Adults are just as important to protect," he said.

Jerry Vargas, of Salina, said even as a nonsmoker he doesn't think the commission should tell business owners how to operate their businesses.

The commission shouldn't pass the ordinance "without giving people the chance to vote. I don't believe in it and I think it is wrong," Vargas said.

Several other people urged the ordinance to be put to vote -- something several city commissioners said they supported also.

Commissioners can't put the issue to a vote themselves. But if commissioners approve the ordinance on second reading Jan. 26, members of the public can petition to place repeal of the ordinance on the April ballot; if the ordinance is not approved, supporters can petition to have it placed on the ballot.

People have the right to smoke, said Del Myers, public health educator with the Salina-Saline County Health Department, "but not in a way that can harm other people."

"It's not only appropriate (for the commission) to protect the community's health, but it is part of their duty," Myer said.

nReporter April Middleton can be reached at 822-1409 or by e-mail at amiddleton@salina.com.

Discuss This Story:

Email this story to a friend:

Subject:

Recipient:

Sender's email (required):



Enter text seen above: