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The Commercial Appeal reports the Board of Aldermen voted 5-2 Tuesday against a motion to adopt an ordinance banning smoking.
Earlier this month, the local chapter of the Mississippi Tobacco-Free Coalition asked aldermen to outlaw public smoking. Representatives primarily focused on the impact of second-hand smoke.
An all-out ban would forbid tobacco use in places like restaurants and would apply to most businesses, especially those with employees and which are open to the public.
Alderman Harold Henderson said he smoked 38 years and has COPD, yet said he is not going to tell someone they cannot smoke.
Alderman Dale Dickerson said the ordinance before the Board was too restrictive.