[Greenbuilding] Columbia Mo Passes Smoking Ban

[Lawrence Lile]

My city passed a no-smoking ordinance last night, that applies to bars
and restaurants but exempts outdoor patios.  This is the culmination of
years of work by a few tireless volunteer activists, all good friends of
mine,  against a well-funded and bombastic campaign mostly funded by
business owners and Big Tobacco.  
 
The local Restaurant association remained neutral on the issue, since
many of  our restaurants have gone smoke-free voluntarily, with no ill
economic effect.  
 
I testified, reading ASHRAE's position paper, which essentially says
zero tolerance for ETS is the only effective method of eliminating
health effects from secondhand smoke. ASHRAE's studies indicate there
are no effective mechanical filtration or ventilation systems that
eliminate this hazard.  I also debunked some of the junk science the
opponents trotted out, amazing black boxes that were supposed to clean
up all the air in a room like magic.  
 
My doctor joined dozens of others testifying for the resolution,
Students, State representatives, Lawyers, health workers, and bartenders
spoke for the resolution.  A couple of bar owners and crazy libertarians
spoke against, plus a well-paid economics professor from out of town.
Their forecasts of doom and gloom are not bourne out in any peer
reviewed study of real effects from such an ordinace.  
 
You people out on the Coasts are lucky, this fight was won several years
ago.  Missouri has some of the highest smoking rates in the nation, and
also an epidemic of smoking related diseases plus a set of the most
backward laws in the Nation.   If it can pass here, it can pass
anywhere.  If your city is not already smoke free, then it's time to
start passing around petitions.  Next time you drive along I-70 through
through Greener, Cleaner Columbia, Mo, be sure to stop in and have a
drink at a pub!  
 
 
Lawrence Lile, P.E., LEED AP
Senior Electrical Engineer
Project Solutions Engineering
573-443-7100 X 221
573-999-3450 Cell
1390 Boone Industrial Dr Suite 200
Columbia MO 65202