Breathe Easy poll results, ‘69 percent of voters support Columbus smoking ban’

Breathe Easy Columbus, an organization pushing for a citywide smoking ban, released results from a poll Wednesday that supports its position.

The poll was conducted by Landmark Communications Inc., a company based in Alpharetta, Ga., to determine public opinion for a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance in the Columbus, according to a news release issued by the organization. The company found that 69 percent of voters support a city ordinance to prevent smoking in public places and 83 percent believe employees should be protected from exposure to second-hand smoke while on the job. Seventy-two percent stated that they would be more likely to support an elected official who voted for a smoke-free ordinance.

The release was emailed to the Ledger-Enquirer by Darrya Lipscomb, senior director of communications and marketing for the Metro Atlanta American Heart Association.

“These polling results support our position that an ordinance without exemptions is not only good for the health of our city and business community, it is popular with our citizens,” said Jamie Austin, chair of the Breathe Easy Columbus Coalition, in the news release.

The proposed smoking ban has been a divisive issue between supporters and opponents of a smoke-free ordinance that Columbus Council considered in March. Overwhelmed with the task of crafting the legislation, council opted to extend the first reading of the ordinance and research the topic for another 60 days.

The decision came after a lengthy debate about aspects of the proposed ordinance that some councilors found disconcerting, such as banning smoking at adult-only establishments, and changes were made.

Some local entrepreneurs have argued that the ordinance will negatively impact their businesses.

During a meeting at The Loft restaurant, David Carson, of the Soho Bar and Grill on Milgen Road, said people who patronize the nightclub know it’s a smoking environment and should have the choice.

“I don’t see why if we already have a state law in place, why Columbus needs to supersede that state law just for my benefit,” he said. “I really don’t need y’all’s help taking care of me.”

The latest version of the ordinance is scheduled to be presented to Council on June 13, with the possibility of a vote on June 27, according to the release.

“Breathe Easy Columbus is coalition of local volunteers organized to secure a comprehensive smoke-free policy for Columbus and Muscogee County,” according to information in the news release. It is affiliated with such national organizations as the American Heart Association, Americans for Nonsmokers Rights, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and American Lung Association.

“Smoking leads to more than 480,000 premature deaths each year in the U.S.,” the release reads. “Nearly 42,000 of those deaths are from exposure to secondhand smoke. The currently proposed ordinance has been watered down to include exemptions for venues like bars and restaurants leaving both workers and patrons exposed to dangerous carcinogens. There are 1,354 municipalities across the country with smoke-free laws without exemptions, including Georgia cities like Savannah, Clarkston and Morrow.”

This story was originally published May 31, 2017 at 5:29 PM with the headline "Breathe Easy poll results, ‘69 percent of voters support Columbus smoking ban’."