Clayton could be the next city to tackle a debate over smoking. The question is whether lighting up should be outlawed in certain public places. And both sides are fired up.
Some residents are speaking out and some business owners are concerned too. A public meeting at City Hall will offer residents a chance to voice their concerns. But they're not the only ones with strong opinions.
Even before the meeting ever started some demonstrators carried signs urging Clayton to kick the habit. They argue this is a health issue and a smoke free city would create a healtheir community.
"I'm a non smoker and I believe second hand smoke is detrimental to people's health." Janet Simms - Non-Smoker
Others say they might go somewhere else if they couldn't light up in Clayton.
"I definitely know we pick our restaurants based on whether you can smoke in it or not." Aerin Soroko - Smoker
Some predict smoking bans would actually boost business.
"I would certainly never avoid a place because they have a smoking ban." Chris Castellanos - Non-Smoker
and other Clayton residents want more details before they decide.
"Is it strictly indoor does it also involve outdoor smoking, does it involve only bars and restaurants does it involve retail all public spaces a lot of questions to that." Bryan Carr - Clayton Resident
We found one restaurant worker who recently came to Clayton from springfield Illinois -- a place where smoking was banned. He says business went up.
"People who own businesses think it's going to chase away their business but really it's not it's going to brig more people that don't smoke that were chased away by people who do smoke."
But some Clayton business owners fear a smoking ban here -- would be a big financial loss for them.
"Personally don't smoke but running a business I people do smoke and when they drink cocktails they like to smoke." Jason Tilford - Barrister's
Both sides will have a chance to have their voices heard.
Some residents are speaking out and some business owners are concerned too. A public meeting at City Hall will offer residents a chance to voice their concerns. But they're not the only ones with strong opinions.
Even before the meeting ever started some demonstrators carried signs urging Clayton to kick the habit. They argue this is a health issue and a smoke free city would create a healtheir community.
"I'm a non smoker and I believe second hand smoke is detrimental to people's health." Janet Simms - Non-Smoker
Others say they might go somewhere else if they couldn't light up in Clayton.
"I definitely know we pick our restaurants based on whether you can smoke in it or not." Aerin Soroko - Smoker
Some predict smoking bans would actually boost business.
"I would certainly never avoid a place because they have a smoking ban." Chris Castellanos - Non-Smoker
and other Clayton residents want more details before they decide.
"Is it strictly indoor does it also involve outdoor smoking, does it involve only bars and restaurants does it involve retail all public spaces a lot of questions to that." Bryan Carr - Clayton Resident
We found one restaurant worker who recently came to Clayton from springfield Illinois -- a place where smoking was banned. He says business went up.
"People who own businesses think it's going to chase away their business but really it's not it's going to brig more people that don't smoke that were chased away by people who do smoke."
But some Clayton business owners fear a smoking ban here -- would be a big financial loss for them.
"Personally don't smoke but running a business I people do smoke and when they drink cocktails they like to smoke." Jason Tilford - Barrister's
Both sides will have a chance to have their voices heard.
