Smoke Free O’Fallon Members Address City Council

The April elections may be over, but discussion of the city-wide smoking ban continues in O’Fallon.

Citizens for Smoke-Free O’Fallon addressed members regarding the smoke-free air act at Thursday night’s regular meeting.

In December the citizen’s group gathered more than 1,900 signatures to place the initiative on the April 2011 ballot. The measure passed with 73 percent of the vote. 

, that the city ordinance is too restrictive and violates Missouri statutes. He plans to introduce an amendment to the ordinance, which he said would bring it into compliance with the Missouri Clean Indoor Air Act. Pepper has also filed complaints with the IRS against anti-smoking groups for contributions to the cause that he says violate their 501(c)3 status.

During citizen’s comments, Smoke-Free O’Fallon committee member Craig Boring told the council that the group received overwhelming support while making phone calls and knocking on doors to educate residents about the smoking ban.

“The results show an overwhelming support, the citizens of O’Fallon have spoken loud and clear,“ Boring said.

Boring said the group is happy to work with city staff in the coming weeks to promote education and awareness to ensure O’Fallon residents and the business community fully understand the new law.

“Given that the city of O’Fallon has showed such support for this issue, we know you will do what’s right and fully respect the will of the people by moving forward with enactment of this law as passed.”

Ward 3 Councilman John Haman, Jr. commented early in the meeting that some council members have different opinions of the ban and he commended the work of Citizens for Smoke-Free O’Fallon.

“They took what the charter is all about and put this into the hands of the people,” he said, adding that the issue was passed by an overwhelming amount of 73 percent.

“You can’t argue with those numbers,” Haman said.

O’Fallon resident A.C. Dienoff also addressed the council and said he will “not stand idly by” if the smoking ban ordinance is amended.

 “The will of the people must prevail, if this council initiates or sponsors any legislation to undo the will of the people, offer any exemptions or change the will of the people in any way, I will circulate a refrendeum petition,” he said. “I will make it my mission to make sure that this ordinance is 100 percent fully installed”

When O’Fallon Patch spoke with Pepper on Friday morning, he dismissed Dienoff’s comments.

 “Mr. Dienoff has a propensity for complaining and making threats and most people in this community are dismissing him as a gadfly,” he said. 

According to city officials, the new smoking rules go into effect in June.