Omaha, Neb. --- A smoking ban proposed by an Omaha City councilman has a 5-year grace period.
The smoking ban was introduced by Councilman Franklin Thompson Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at the City Council meeting. During the June 13 public hearing, a compromise plan was discussed giving keno parlors, stand-alone bars, horseracing simulcasting locations and tobacco retail outlets 5 years to phase out smoking. According to Thompson, the city's keno contract runs through 2011.
Several people showed up on the Tuesday hearing, voicing their personal opinions to the city council. The group was split in half. The smoke-free group contest the compromise because of the 5-year grace period, while the pro-smoking agree because of the 5-year window for transition.
"It's not a perfect solution," says Franklin Thompson. "I've never tried to promote it as a perfect solution, this is a pragmatic solution."
"That compromise allows the city to have more flexibility and it gives more flexibility to the bars and the keno operators," is quoted as saying. Last year, a partial ban was passed but was vetoed by the mayor because he favors a total ban. During this time, Thompson offered an amendment excempting keno parlors, saying he was concerned that their profits might dramatically suffer should smoking be banned.
Councilman Thompson's proposal was inspired by a petition drive led by Citizens for a Smoke-free Omaha, a group on a mission to ban public smoking citywide. "The ordinance we're working on would make every business in Omaha be smoke-free," Mark Welsch of Citizens for a Smoke-free Omaha says. Welsch faces opposition from another group holding their own signature campaign against the smoking ban.
Welsch views the proposal as a huge step in the right direction, but he said his organization is still resolute in continuing its effort to put a smoking ban in front of voters in November.
Another organization, Group to Alleviate Smoking Pollution or GASP of Nebraska, a non-profit organization advocating against tobacco, is set to file another petition initiative in November. This Thompson believes is a huge factor that will push the envelope on the smoking ban.
The ban has not met without resistance from local keno parlor and bar owners.
"I have a hard time for the government to come and set parameters on something that is legal," says Jeff Lempe, owner of local pub McFly's.
If passed, the smoking ban is set to take effect in October. The Omaha City Council is set to vote June 20.
Wednesday, August 16 , 2006
Louis Blechdom
