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Parkville explores smoking ban
Committee formed to gather community input
By Jared Hoffmann
With a smoking ban now clearing the air of Kansas City eating establishments, Parkville may consider following suit.
Ward 2 Alderman Gia McFarlane was recently designated by the board to begin assembling a committee composed of various members of the community. McFarlane said the initial step of forming the committee was to gauge the city’s collective opinion on the issue.
“I’m trying to get in touch will all the business owners I can,” McFarlane said. “I want to see where the opinions of the citizens lie.”
The possibility of a smoking ban became a topic of discussion throughout the community about a year ago, but no official action was taken on the matter. Many business owners and city officials were concerned that a ban would drive patrons away from Parkville restaurants to establishments across the Kansas City border, where smoking was allowed at the time. With a smoking ban now enacted in Kansas City, McFarlane said it was an opportune time to revisit the issue.
“Before, the reason the ban was fought so hard was because of the perceived economic impact on the city,” McFarlane said. “It was felt that a ban would hurt our local businesses. It’s just responsible for us to revisit this issue.”
While many residents would likely support a smoking ban, and with some of the city’s businesses having opted to go smoke-free voluntarily, others are not convinced a ban would be a positive thing.
Pam Masterson, head bartender at the American Legion, believes that a smoking ban in Parkville could still be harmful to business owners. She said the level of business increased notably after Kansas City enacted its ban, as individuals seeking smoker-friendly establishments made their way to Parkville.
“I personally think a ban would kill the (American) Legion,” Masterson said. “There are plenty of options in Parkville for people who don’t want to smoke.”
McFarlane said that after gathering input from the community and researching smoking ordinances in other cities, the Board of Aldermen would review the information and decide what course of action to take next.
Staff writer Jared Hoffmann can be reached at 389-6636 or jaredhoffmann@npgco.com.
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Ward 2 Alderman Gia McFarlane was recently designated by the board to begin assembling a committee composed of various members of the community. McFarlane said the initial step of forming the committee was to gauge the city’s collective opinion on the issue.
“I’m trying to get in touch will all the business owners I can,” McFarlane said. “I want to see where the opinions of the citizens lie.”
The possibility of a smoking ban became a topic of discussion throughout the community about a year ago, but no official action was taken on the matter. Many business owners and city officials were concerned that a ban would drive patrons away from Parkville restaurants to establishments across the Kansas City border, where smoking was allowed at the time. With a smoking ban now enacted in Kansas City, McFarlane said it was an opportune time to revisit the issue.
“Before, the reason the ban was fought so hard was because of the perceived economic impact on the city,” McFarlane said. “It was felt that a ban would hurt our local businesses. It’s just responsible for us to revisit this issue.”
While many residents would likely support a smoking ban, and with some of the city’s businesses having opted to go smoke-free voluntarily, others are not convinced a ban would be a positive thing.
Pam Masterson, head bartender at the American Legion, believes that a smoking ban in Parkville could still be harmful to business owners. She said the level of business increased notably after Kansas City enacted its ban, as individuals seeking smoker-friendly establishments made their way to Parkville.
“I personally think a ban would kill the (American) Legion,” Masterson said. “There are plenty of options in Parkville for people who don’t want to smoke.”
McFarlane said that after gathering input from the community and researching smoking ordinances in other cities, the Board of Aldermen would review the information and decide what course of action to take next.
Staff writer Jared Hoffmann can be reached at 389-6636 or jaredhoffmann@npgco.com.