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Springfield Mayor Jim O’Neal and several other community leaders announced today (Thursday) that a new comprehensive smoke free workplace ordinance will be introduced to city council. This ordinance would prohibit smoking in all indoor public places throughout Springfield. The new ordinance already has the support of the mayor and more than 120 businesses and community organizations throughout the area. KSMU’s Adam Murphy reports.
The current ordinance that regulates smoking in indoor public places has several exemptions for certain bars, restaurants, and other workplaces, but the new ordinance being proposed to city council on June 28 would remove all of those exceptions and end smoking in all indoor public places. Mayor Jim O’Neal says that he and the city of Springfield have been working on this issue for a number of years.
“This decision has been made after a detailed review of the city’s current policy, the completion of local indoor air quality testing, and extensive, ongoing dialogue with individuals fro mall walks of life here in Springfield,” said O’Neal.
The new ordinance was announced by O’Neal and the One Air Alliance, which is a grassroots health organization formed to promote clean indoor air. The alliance has gained the support of over 120 restaurants, churches, retailers, and other area businesses and organizations.
According to the alliance, a study done in December 2009 and March of this year showed that businesses that allow smoking indoors contain 10 times more air pollution than those that were smoke free. They also reported that workers in these places were inhaling 250% more air pollution than is recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.
O’Neal says the city has a moral obligation to protect the community and its workers.
“In my opinion this is about one issue. It is about workplace health and safety. We no more should be subjecting Springfield’s workers to the injuries of secondhand smoke than we would ask for a body shop owner to not protect people painting cars by wearing masks, it’s the same thing … Missouri is the Show-Me State; it’s time for Springfield to step forward and show all Missourians how we care for our health and the well being of all people who live and work and visit this community,” O’Neal said.
O’Neal says he expects the ordinance to be voted on at the July 12 city council meeting. Despite past opposition to an outright ban on indoor smoking in public places, O’Neal says he thinks the ban will pass. If approved, the ordinance is expected to be implemented sometime this fall. More information can be found at www.oneairalliance.org.
For KSMU News, I’m Adam Murphy.
