Cape Girardeau smoking ban fails

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The debate over the controversial smoking ban in Cape Girardeau was finally resolved Tuesday when voters failed the smoking ban. 52% of residents voted against it.

Members of the pro smoking ban group, Smoke Free Cape, were disappointed in the outcome of the election but feel that they accomplished something positive through their campaigning efforts.

Shelly Wood, a volunteer for Smoke Free Cape, shared her feelings about the outcome of the vote.

“I think we knew all along that it was going to be a close race. Disappointed, again, is how I feel but again very proud of the campaign that we ran and happy that we helped educate the local public and just very thankful for all the volunteers that worked with our group,” Wood said.

Smoke Free Cape does not currently have any plans to get another campaign in place. The Cape Girardeau city charter does not allow an initiative petition for another year so the group will have to wait if it does plan another campaign.

A similar smoking ban initiative passed in Springfield, Missouri with 53% of that city’s vote according to the Springfield News-Leader.

Katie Long, KRCU

Posted in: Citizens for a Smoke-Free Cape,Katie Long,Shelly Wood,smoking ordinance,Stand Up Cape What's Next?