Off On Proposed Smoking Ban

Westfield residents on Monday got their first chance to sound off before city council on a proposed comprehensive smoking ban.

"This is just a place for those people who choose to do that and be around that," Foust said. "I believe there are plenty of places for people to go who don't choose to do those things."Several residents expressed anger that the council would even consider a comprehensive ban."When you eliminate that opportunity, they're not going to stop smoking. They're just going to go somewhere else," said one man.Helen Lee, a smoker, said snuffing smoking at restaurants and sports venues is going too far."If you want to smoke, you should be able to smoke," she said. "They can make non-smoking bars and smoking bars."On the other side of the issue, several people spoke in favor of the ban, most citing health concerns."No one should have to choose between their health and their paycheck," said one woman.

Some said the issue is protecting workers in smoking environments from secondhand smoke, and some shared personal stories."I was raised, basically, on secondhand smoke," said Sheila Wheeler, a cancer survivor. "My parents both smoked. As a result, I hand cancer three times before I was 35 years old."Council members heard public comments Monday night, but didn't weigh in themselves.The council said it will consider the public's voice and may hold more hearings. A vote is not yet scheduled.