Boone Liberty Coalition
10900 S Hardwick Ln
Columbia, MO 65201
Phone: 573.777.1950
web:
email:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Page 1 of 1
Contact: John Dupuy
573.777.1950
BOONE LIBERTY COALITION RELEASES POSITION PAPER TO THE PUBLIC
Columbia, MO -- September 7, 2006 -- The Boone Liberty Coalition (BLC) has released to the public a
position paper that was previously shared only with City Council members.
This document -- available at --
--
outlines in greater detail the four primary reasons we are opposed to the proposed smoking ban:
1.
Freedom of Choice. Employees are able to choose their workplace, thereby limiting their
exposure to secondhand smoke. The high turnover amongst restaurant employees ensures that
non-smoking positions are available to employees who desire such a work environment.
Customers are also able to select if they will patronize a smoking or non-smoking environment.
Additionally, their purchasing power and demands will continue to move Columbia's
establishments in a smoke-free direction.
2.
The Free Market is Working. The Boone Liberty Coalition undertook a survey of local
restaurants that revealed that nearly two-thirds of restaurants in Columbia already voluntarily
ban indoor smoking. Additionally, 17% of the restaurants that allowed smoking three years
ago have now gone smoke-free. If this rate of change stays constant, over 80% of restaurants
could be smoke-free in five years.
3.
Economic Impacts. Many advocates of smoking bans point to studies which show no
economic impact or a gain in sales tax receipts after bans have been enacted in other locales.
These studies ignore the individual business owner who may be affected if they are in one of
several niches frequented by smoking customers.
4.
Health Risk. The health risk from secondhand smoke does not rise to a level that requires
government regulation to ban smoking in privately-owned bars and restaurants. The health risk
is very small when compared to long-term smokers. Chemical concentrations in secondhand
smoke are well below established limits. Ventilation can reduce secondhand smoke and
improve indoor air quality.
Based on these positions, we recommend that the City Council either 1) table the issue for five years
and re-evaluate the free market at that time or 2) consider something like the proposed Gregali bill in
St. Louis that would require a business to have appropriate signage about their smoking policy outside
their establishment.
"We feel that based on the evidence, it is not necessary to act at this time," says John Dupuy,
spokesperson for the BLC. "The only thing a smoking ordinance would do is limit choices, hurt
selected business owners and drive people away from Columbia. We prefer informed choice and
freedom over regulation. We feel a waiting period is a reasonable solution at this time."
The Boone Liberty Coalition (BLC) was formed by local citizens in Columbia and Boone County concerned about issues of
personal liberty, economic freedom, and property rights after the 2004 elections. When we realized in 2005 that there was
no one speaking out against the proposed restaurant and bar smoking ban, it became the first issue our group would
address. The BLC is comprised solely of local residents. It is not a tobacco front group and any money spent has come from
individual members.
