Jackson Free Press

Rep. John Mayo, D-Clarksdale, is pushing for statewide legislation in the next session of the Legislature that will prevent smoking in most enclosed public places, including restaurants and bars. The bill has not yet been dropped, and could see adjustments before it enters the legislative process.

Rallying support of a smoking ban at the state Capitol Thursday morning, a consortium of anti-smoking groups celebrated the 33rd observance of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout. The holiday, celebrated by ACS, the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and the Partnership for a Healthy Mississippi, represents the participating organizations' continued efforts to ban smoking in public places across the state.

"It's become an opportunity for all of us to come together across the country and advocate for anti-smoking laws," said American Cancer Society spokeswoman Kimberly Hughes, who then announced plans to advocate for "comprehensive smoke-free legislation" during the 2009 Mississippi legislative session.

Thirty cities across the state, including Laurel and Ridgeland, have already passed smoke-free ordinances, but Hughes said that meant only 9 percent of Mississippians were protected by local smoke-free laws. She said she wanted Mississippi to join the 26 states and the District of Columbia that have smoke-free laws.

State Health Officer Ed Thompson pointed out the dangers of secondhand smoke at the press conference.

"The U.S. Surgeon General issued a report in 2004 saying there was no safe level for environmental secondhand smoke. No matter how small the amount, it increases your risk of health problems. … Even separate ventilation systems without separate rooms do not make a significant difference," Thompson said.

The Mississippi Restaurant Association has opposed the Jackson City Council's attempts to ban smoking in restaurants and bars this year, though MRA Executive Director Mike Cashion argued that a local ban was more damaging than a statewide ban. Cashion argued that a local ban would send customers to competing businesses across municipal or county lines.

Cashion could not be reached for comment on the statewide ban advocated by Mayo next year.

Mayo acknowledged that some restaurants experienced a slight drop in business after a smoking ban, but recouped their losses after a few weeks. Thompson called the lost business argument completely without merit.

"This has been proven false in a number of states and communities that have enacted smoke-free laws. What they've found is that either revenues have remained the same or they've gone up," Thompson said, citing himself as an example. "I'm proud to live in Ridgeland, a smoke-free community, and I won't go to Jackson where you can smoke in restaurants. I stay up there where I will not get exposed to tobacco smoke, and there are a lot of people who think like me."

Both Thompson and Mayo warned legislators to beware any "poison pills" that could kill a smoke-free indoor air ordinance, namely an exemption for local governments.

"What you can expect is (for opponents to attempt to insert) a clause that says no local jurisdiction may enact legislation or laws that are more strict than the state law. It's called a preemption clause, and it's a means of weakening the thing to the point of being ineffective. If such a clause is offered, fight it. Throw it out," Thompson said.