The Republic
THE best thing about Columbus’ recently enacted smoking ordinance is that it’s a start.
The start is an imperfect one and might serve as a model for other cities planning statutes as to what to avoid in their communities.
Unfortunately, many of those communities jumping on the smoke-ban bandwagon appear to be following the same path of least resistance that was taken by Columbus City Council.
Earlier this week Greenwood City Council passed a carbon copy of Columbus’ ordinance, banning smoking in public places but exempting bars and fraternal lodges.
Should Greenwood Council members want to make enforcement complaint-based they could have a sister-city relationship with Columbus.
Although some of the opposition to Columbus’ ban was based upon the misused argument that it was an abuse of civil rights, the meatiest contention is the issue of fairness.
Opponents rightfully complained about the free pass the Columbus Council gave to bars and private clubs.
In fact, some of the leading critics of the ban have said that they could live with an across-the-board plan but bristle at the exemption.
That we do have an exclusionary ban is a bow to political reality. Had bars and private clubs not been exempted we would be back at ground zero in this important battle over the health of the community.
A bow to another reality — this one economic — was complaint-based enforcement. Establishment of a smoking squad would be expensive and a misallocation of resources.
But the scarcity of complaints in the first days of the enforcement, coupled with the number of restaurant smokers is hardly assurance that violators will be ratted out.
Having come this far, it would be a mistake for city officials to walk away from the effort for a healthier community.
The ordinance should be expanded to cover all establishments and ways found to make detection of abuses meaningful.
The city should also look at enlisting those vociferous opponents who are more concerned about the fairness of the ban.
They might be strange bedfellows but they could tip the balance to a healthier Columbus.