While Old Town Cape has endorsed both wastewater issues on April's ballot, the group is opposing the proposed smoking ban in Cape Girardeau.

Executive director Marla Mills said while the group's board doesn't disagree with the ban's intent, it had a problem with the execution.

"The language, the wording, is restrictive in nature. We looked at how it would impact the rights of business owners," she said.

Mills said it wasn't a decision the board took lightly.

"We listened to presentations from both groups," she said.

Old Town Cape doesn't necessarily issue stands on ballot issues, Mills said, but the board realized the smoking ban, as well as the wastewater treatment issues, would affect the city's downtown area.

Doc Cain, who is leading the opposition to the smoking ban, is listed as a member of Old Town Cape's board of directors on its website.

In a statement released Friday, Sheri House, with Citizens for a Smoke-Free Cape, said while the group would have preferred Old Town Cape support the smoking ban, the decision lies with residents.

"Smoke-Free Cape is extremely disappointed that the board of directors of Old Town Cape declined to support a measure that would protect thousands of employees and patrons from the known hazards of secondhand smoke," she said. "Fortunately, this decision will ultimately be up to the voters of Cape Girardeau on April 5."

House said businesses and restaurants abide by a variety of laws every day, including those governing sanitation, food handling and public health, and few business owners argue against those regulations. She said smoke-free laws promote good public health and expand the right to breath clean air.

House said smoke-free establishments have become the norm in the country and the proposed ordinance isn't a complete ban on smoking.

"The common sense ballot proposal simply asks smokers to step outside for the health of everyone," she said.

cbartholomew@semissourian.com

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