Pine Bluff Smoke-Free Ordinance Airs Out

An ordinance to put cigarettes out in Pine Bluff is a burning topic. The ordinance was read for the first time at the Monday night City Council meeting. It would outlaw smoking in all public places except bars and tobacco stores. Smoking would not be allowed within 25 feet of the building. Supporters and opponents of the ban made their opinions clear at the council meeting. Still, sponsors say it`s mostly aimed at protecting non-smokers from second-hand smoke. The ordinance notes how second-hand smoke increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other illnesses. Owners of Finley`s Restaurant say they oppose the ordinance. While only 5% of their customers are smokers, owner Roy Finley says they city shouldn`t dictate whether he can allow smoking and the city-wide ordinance could mean losing business to other cities. "If our revenue decreases 10%, it can be devastating to many restaurants in the area," he said. One of the laws sponsors disagrees. "If anything, I think it will help revenue at their business because there are some people who go out to eat because they can`t take any smoke at all," said Derwood Smith, Pine Bluff Alderman, Ward 3. "We`re not telling people they can`t smoke. We`re just asking them to take it outside, because we`re looking at the health of the employees as well as all the patrons," said Barbara Kumpe, American Heart Association. The American Heart Association says $13 million in health-care costs spent in Pine Bluff can be attributed to smoking; $19 million in Jefferson County; and $748 million statewide. The Arkansas Department of Health says $223 million of that money comes from the state`s Medicaid program. The Pine Bluff City Council is expected to vote at their June 6th meeting.