[Press Release] : Health and police take action to enforce smoking ordinance

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2007

CONTACT: Gerry Worley
Environmental Health Manager
(573) 874-7346

Health and police take action to enforce smoking ordinance
									
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - In response to continued patron complaints
about smoking ordinance violations in local bars, the Columbia/Boone
County Health Department’s Environmental Health Division has moved
into a new phase of enforcement action to gain compliance. On March 1,
environmental health specialists teamed with members of Columbia Police
Department’s Community Action Team (CAT) to make surprise inspections
to eight area bars and issued 24 summonses both to people smoking in the
facility, as well as management.  
	The Columbia ordinance, which went into effect Jan. 9, 2007,
prohibits smoking in all workplaces including restaurants, bars, bowling
alleys and bingo halls. Since the ordinance took effect, the
Environmental Health Division has responded to citizen complaints by
making a visit to the establishment to encourage support, educate the
management and provide written materials on the new ordinance.  
	Despite educational efforts, the department continued to receive
complaints from patrons regarding smoking in a small number of
businesses.  
	“The majority of businesses and smokers have been very good
about following the ordinance,” said Gerry Worley, environmental
health manager. “Unfortunately, there are a small group of businesses
who refuse to follow the rules which means we have to take more
aggressive action.”  
	While enforcement of the ordinance falls under the Health
Department, environmental health specialists are not able to issue a
summons to violators so it is necessary to involve law enforcement.
Members of the Community Action Team paired with environmental health
specialists to conduct the inspections.
	“Columbia police officers have been very supportive of our
efforts and we hope that the surprise inspections will send a message to
both management and patrons that we are willing to take action when we
get complaints,” said Worley.
	Citizens who observe smoking violation complaints can leave a
recorded message on the Environmental Health Division’s Complaint
Hotline 24 hours a day by calling 874-7339.

Businesses Inspected			# of Summonses Issued
T.P’s Bar and Grill (2 locations) 		               12
Blue Fugue					2
Cody’s						0
Tiger Club					1
Black & Gold					4
Hoot-N-Anny’s					5


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