RHF proposes Dexter smoking ban

The Regional Healthcare Foundation (RHF) is looking to clear the air in Dexter.

Following behind other area communities, the organization is looking to ban smoking at public places within the City of Dexter.

RHF Executive Director Lisa Thrower and Aaron Darnell of the American Lung Association addressed members of the Dexter Board of Aldermen this week regarding the issue.

Thrower stated that the Community Coalition Advisory Committee was formed to investigate a report by the St. Francis Medical Center and Southeast Missouri State University.

The Kids Count report, which was written about extensively in the April 25 edition of The Daily Statesman, cited a number of concerns in Stoddard County.

The county's percentage of low-birth weight infants was particularly troubling to the committee. As a result, smoking was determined to be the point most in need of addressing.

"[Low infant birth weight] is directly attributed to smoking," Thrower said.

A public smoking ban, according to Thrower, is a good start to curbing this problem.

Darnell addressed the dangers of second-hand smoke and also gave a status update on area communities that are discussing the issue.

"This isn't just about protecting the citizens, but protecting employees as well," he said, noting that many factories still allow workers to smoke on the line while they work.

Darnell said the U. S. Surgeon General has now confirmed there is no safe level of secondhand smoke.

"One in eight deaths in Missouri are caused by secondhand smoke," he said.

The affect on business, however, has been a concern in communities considering such a move over the years.

Darnell argues that such a measure would actually help local businesses.

He cited a study of 11 Missouri cities which showed positive results for local economies.

Among those 11 cities studied, Darnell said eight showed an increase in business. The remaining three reportedly showed "no decrease."

Darnell said there is always the chance that the state could take such an action, but it is unlikely until they see various cities making the move on their own.

The City of Kennett recently passed such a smoking ban. Other communities investigating the possibility include Poplar Bluff, Sikeston, Doniphan and West Plains.

"The reason I'm trying to make this impact in my community is for the health of our citizens," Darnell said.

Thrower stated that the RHF will have a booth set up for the duration of the Stoddard County Fair in September. Workers will have on hand a petition encouraging citizens to sign in support of such a ban.

Since they did not have a quorum, there was no discussion following the presentation, however the Board of Aldermen addressed the issue at an April 15 meeting.

At that time, the aldermen were reluctant to pass such an ordinance, arguing that such decisions should be left up to individual business owners.

It was not mentioned whether the issue would be revisited at their next regular meeting on July 1.

A special meeting has been scheduled for Monday, June 24, 2013, at 5 p.m. for the board to approve their budget for the coming fiscal year.