Smoking bans continue to be a very contentious topic throughout the country, but proponents seem to be winning out over strong opposition.
A recent smoking ban in Hannibal, Mo., brought the total count to 31 Missouri towns that have some form of a smoking ban, according to the [American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation’s website](http://www.no-smoke.org/goingsmokefree.php?id=519). Towns included on the list are St. Louis and Kansas City.
The vote in Hannibal was 56 to 44 percent after months of contentious debate, according to the Quincy World Herald.
Columbia has yet to become entirely smoke-free but does have a ban on smoking in bars, restaurants and some other public places that was enacted in 2006, according to the city’s website.
Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe voted for the measure back in 2006. She said the recommendation of the Board of Health, as well as her husband’s health issues and the numerous stories she heard from community members about smoking’s negative health ramifications influenced her decision.
“We and others in the community had to make a choice between our health and being able to go out to eat, dance or enjoy live music at public establishments,” Hoppe said.
One argument opponents of smoking bans often use is the negative economic impacts smoking bans bring. Hoppe doesn’t believe there has been much impact to Columbia.
Hoppe cited the thriving downtown district as evidence against any negative economic impacts.
Hoppe said she is not aware of any plans at this point for the city to implement a more stringent smoking ban.
Cities aren’t the only ones taking action, as 35 states now have some form of a statewide smoking ban, according to the American for Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation’s website. Missouri does not have a smoking ban, but the The Indoor Clean Air Act, which passed in 1992, bans smoking in public places and meetings. However, the law offers a long list of exemptions.
According to the state’s department of health and senior services, 21 percent of Missouri adults and 18 percent of Missouri teens smoke, resulting in $2 billion spent per year to treat smoking related ailments.
Despite these numbers, attempts to implement a statewide smoking ban by the Missouri General Legislature every year since 2008 have overwhelmingly failed.
This past year the American Lung Association gave Missouri an F in its yearly report concerning tobacco control policies. Missouri was one of only five states to receive an F in all four categories: cigarette taxes, tobacco prevention funding, smoke-free laws and insurance coverage to help people quit smoking.
Smoking bans are an issue at MU as well. Just last month, MSA announced plans to implement a full ban next fall instead of original plans to not implement a full ban until 2014. The current system, which allows for smoking only in designated areas, has been criticized repeatedly because of lack of enforcement.
Hoppe said it will be interesting to see how students will adjust to the new laws on campus and whether the law will increase student traffic downtown.