City Council members are again entertaining the notion of limiting smoking in public places.
Jason Sharp, Phelps County Regional Medical Center’s director of radiation oncology, presented City Council members Tuesday with statistical information on the dangers of smoking.
With the aid of a PowerPoint production, Sharp presented what he called evidence — from Smoke-free Air For Everyone Rolla (SAFE Rolla) — for why city officials should embrace a smoke-free workplace ordinance.
“We’re not asking for a ban of smoking,” Sharp began. “We recognize the right to smoke.”
Still, Sharp did not mince words when he talked about the dangers of smoking he experiences in his partnership with Dr. Mary Graham of the PCRMC’s oncology unit.
“Lung cancer is the leading cancer among males and second among females,” Sharp said. “And, we’re finding 96 percent of all cancer patients smoked at some time.”
Offering figures pertinent to Phelps County, Sharp said 21.8 percent of county residents smoke, which is slightly less than the state average of 23 percent.
“And, often, it’s the lower economic levels that (have the highest concentration of smokers),” Sparks said. “90.2 percent of all Missourians believe smoking is dangerous,” he said, indicating even a percentage of smokers see the hazards of smoking.
Sparks told City Council members the sample ordinance he provided included limiting smoking in not only office workplaces, but in restaurants and public gathering places, too.
“Many part-time workers at these restaurants are unwillingly subjected to second-hand smoke,” Sparks said. “Essentially, they have no choice.”
Sparks downplayed the notion that passage of a smoke-free ordinance was in some way an infringement on business-owners’ rights.
“There are essentially safety codes that are not seen as an infringement. We don’t allow asbestos; (we) can’t lock fire doors and there are fire codes,” Sparks said. “To the question: Wouldn’t it be better to put it to a vote of the people? The answer to that is, ‘No.’”
Sparks displayed statistical information in which he said there is a higher incidence of cancer in states that less-regulate smoking. A similar graphic he presented indicated a 17 percent drop in cancer rates just one year after smoke-free legislation is passed and a 31 percent drop by the third year.
Fielding questions from council members, Sparks acknowledged Ward 5 Councilman Jimmy Dale Williams, a known smoker.
“This is fine, but you’re information could be skewed (against smokers),” Williams said. “You want to eliminate smoking from restaurants, but you will not permit a smokers-only restaurant, claiming discrimination.”
Ward 3 Councilman Gary Hicks offered concern about regulating smoking at private clubs or institutions.
“The sample ordinance provided has withstood 1,600 legal challenges, and I would ask that you not alter it too much,” Sharp cautioned. “When that happens, let’s say you (exempt) theater clubs, then you get all the waiters or help walking around in costumes. We don’t want to see this watered down.”
Hicks inquired as to whether the ordinance would interfere with the private clubs to which Ward 1 Councilman Don Brown offered an explanation.
“They inspect their food service. ... Why not (smoking)?” Brown quizzed.
Sharp’s presentation was just for informational purposes, as the city pondered the proposition of limiting smoking in public places two years ago. Then, The Centre Recreation Complex Director Scott Caron presented City Council members with similar data, but the effort lost momentum when the lead researcher, who was employed at Missouri S&T, moved away.
