The Smoking Ban Decision

By: Marissa Cleaver

Updated: Tue 7:30 PM, Jun 29, 2004

In about three weeks there will be no more smoking in public places.

Ken Svoboda says he suggested the change to make a statement more than anything else.

"More of just symbolism to say they had really gotten off base on this one and we really need to go to the 100% ban again," said Svoboda.

Svoboda and Councilman Terry Werner never wavered in their support of an all out ban. It was Jon Camp and Glenn Friendt who eventually changed their votes.

Friendt says the old ordinance had too many exemptions and played favorite with businesses.

"That's when I decided it was discriminatory. We'd gone beyond any level of compromise to a fairness issue. I believed we need to do something fair and simple. I believe the all out ban was the best way to go," said Friendt.

Camp says he changed his mind after learning that a provision preventing 18 year olds from entering smoke establishments would not be included.

"All I could see at the last minute to preserve the 18-year-old (provision) would be the 100-percent ban.

Werner says he believes they made the right decision.

"I have no desire to pick and choose who can smoke and where they can smoke. But if we believe that people are dying than we need to protect them. That is the city's right to do so," said Werner.

The only way a change can be made now is if one of the four men who voted in favor of the change ask for reconsideration of the issue.

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