Press Release

Columbia Ordinance Passes

Columbia, Mo (January 9, 2007) -- A citywide smoking ordinance took effect in Columbia, Mo., on January 9, 2007. The ordinance prohibits smoking in all enclosed public and work places, including bars, restaurants, bingo and bowling places, educational facilities, office buildings and others.

"The purpose of the ordinance is to promote public health by decreasing workers' and citizens' exposure to secondhand smoke," says the Columbia/Boone County Health Department in a brochure explaining the ordinance.

Reducing exposure to the cancer-causing agents contained in secondhand smoke is only one of the benefits of a smoke-free workplace, according to the Health Department. Other benefits are reduced maintenance and cleaning costs, decreased risk of fires and creating a healthier environment for everyone.

The ban is enforced by the Health Department and violators can be fined up to $200.

Columbia is not the first city in Missouri to introduce such an ordinance. Maryville, Lee's Summit, Independence and Kansas City have passed similar ordinances.

Nationally, more than half of Americans live in cities or states with smoke-free workplaces, restaurants or bars as of January 2007, according to the Americans for Nonsmokers' Rights (click here to view map of smokefree U.S. states/cities).