By Kirk Wayman, KXCV
Maryville, MO – The first city in Missouri to ban 100% smoking in restaurants is now banning smoking in all workplaces and public spaces.
Maryville's city council passed the ordinance last night after debating the issue for 14 months.
Terri Harr is with the citizen's group pushing the ban. She says the northwest Missouri city joins others in an effort she hopes will eventually go statewide.
"Those employees are worth protecting," says Harr. "But what we're trying to do is also get to a tipping point. Because if so many municipalities in the state of Missouri become smoke free, then our statewide legislators will look at that and say, 'perhaps we should pass a statewide policy.' You know, that will be 4 or 5 years, but we're trying to set the tone for that."
The Maryville ordinance takes effect October 1st.