Springfield Missouri: Hearings to exempt e-cigarettes

Springfield Missouri: The city council has had delays but on April 23, hearings finally begun in the multi-part hearings to amend the smoking ban, with electronic cigarettes on one of these bills.

The exemptions, each its own separate bill, would allow the use of electronic cigarettes, allow smoking in tobacco shops, cigar bars, private clubs and on-stage in theatrical productions.

Each of these exemptions will have to be approved unanimously by the Council to pass, because each changes a law decided by voters. There will be no vote, but the public will be allowed to speak on each.

The bill on electronic cigarettes is:

COUNCIL BILL 2012-091
A general ordinance amending Chapter 58, Health and Sanitation, Article X, of the Springfield City Code for the City of Springfield, Missouri, Springfield Smokefree Air Act of 2011: Amending Section 58-1002, Definitions; deleting e-cigarettes from the definition of smoking exempting such devices from this Act.  “it is necessary to amend the Springfield Smokefree Air Act of 2011 to allow these devices to be used in the City of Springfield, Missouri.”

Update:

On June 5th, 2012, the council will send leave to vote to amend this bill to the voters.

So, Springfield Missouri, your right to vape in public will be in your hands.

* Reference: Ozarksfirst.com, and Ozarksfirst.com.