CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The local Tea Party hosted a discussion on the proposed smoking ban at the Cape Girardeau Public Library on Saturday afternoon.
Sheri House, representing Citizens for a Smoke-Free Cape, spoke first saying this was an issue about having the right to breathe clean, smoke free, indoor air.
She cited that over 900 studies supported the U.S. Surgeon General’s report that there is no safe level of second hand smoke.
Doc Cain, owner of Port Cape, spoke for Stand UP Cape, What’s Next? and began by saying this has been framed as a health issue but is actually about property owner’s rights and the right to engage in a legal activity.
He used studies from US Department of Energy, OSHA, and the British Medical Journal to support his stance, saying that measured levels of second hand smoke in restaurants were found to have little to no adverse health effects.
Audience members were also very vocal and at one point moderator Jeannie Hinck had to remind everyone that this was not a debate, merely a discussion.
KRCU and the Leaugue of Women Voters will host a debate on the smoking ban Tuesday at 7 pm at the Show-Me Center meeting room.
Citizens for a Smoke-Free Cape received two contributions from the American Cancer Society last week. The first was for $24,750. The second contribution totaled $33,500 according to the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Matthew Caldwell, KRCU
