Everyone was in agreement Saturday on one point: It all comes down to rights.

Supporters of a proposed smoking ban in Cape Girardeau argued that people have a right to breathe smoke-free air in public buildings, while opponents maintained that property rights and a consumer's right to choose are paramount.

Little other common ground was found Saturday during an hourlong debate, in which about 40 people showed up at the Cape Girardeau Public Library to hear the two sides try to persuade voters how to vote April 5.

"I don't believe that smokers and business owners rights trump the health of the public and employees," said Sheri House, who spoke for Citizens for a Smoke-Free Cape. "The ordinance will restore the rights of those who currently don't have the right to breathe smoke-free air where they work and visit as public guests."

The ban's chief critic, Doc Cain, represented Stand Up Cape, What's Next?, the group working to encourage voters to reject the smoking ban. The event that was sponsored by the Cape Girardeau County Tea Party.

"This is not a health issue at all," Cain said. "This is an issue of property owner's rights and an individual's freedom to engage in a legal activity."

Cain and House were the officials speakers, but the overall discussion was lively, especially during question-and-answer sessions. That's when those in the audience opted largely to state opinions about the ban rather than ask questions.

It appeared that most people who attended the discussion -- organizers said it was not a debate -- already had decided how to vote on the ban, which would prohibit smoking in all public workplaces, including bars, restaurants, private clubs and casinos.

One person asked if the ban would prohibit smoking in city parks.

"Not yet!" another from the audience barked, to several nods of agreement from ban opponents.

"Cellphones are more dangerous than cigarettes," one woman said, which caused one ban supporter to chuckle.

Cape Girardeau resident Mike Masterson said he worried that the ban would hurt Bingo World, which would be forced to close its smoking section if the ban passes.

"You might see a 'for rent' sign on that building, especially the way the economy is," he said.

Another Cape Girardeau resident, Les Wells, said what ban supporters are really advocating is taking away choice.

"If you're taking away choice, you've made my decision for me," said Wells, a nonsmoker and retired postal worker. "We can't eliminate freedoms because it might offend someone."

Ban supporter Dave Hardesty pointed out that even the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, which opposes the ban, acknowledges that there is no definitive evidence either way that such a ban would hurt business and that secondhand smoke is inarguably a health hazard.

Ban supporter Dale Humphries said that 28 states have already gone smoke-free. "If it works in those states, why can't it work in Cape Girardeau?" she asked.

The crowd got so fired up at one point that moderator Jeannie Hinck, secretary and treasurer of the Cape Girardeau County Tea Party, told the crowd to ask questions and not make statements.

"It got a little heated," Hinck said after the meeting. "It's such an emotional issue. Both sides feel very passionate. We knew there would be strong opinions on either side, and we wanted to try to make the discussion as much about information as we could."

But Cain and House did have the floor for most of the hour.

Cain, who owns Port Cape restaurant, said he believes the intent of the ordinance is to single out bar and restaurant owners, because most other public buildings already don't allow smoking. He also reiterated his belief that the ordinance is strict, allowing an exemption only for tobacco shops.

He said the ban has "no exceptions, no exemptions, no common sense and no compromise."

House, who also works for the American Cancer Society, encouraged voters to inform themselves with facts and to make sure any statistics are by peer-reviewed, legitimate sources about the dangers of secondhand smoke.

"Really and truly, people who don't smoke die and suffer because of secondhand smoke and this concerns me," she said.

A debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters and KRCU Radio will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Show Me Center.

smoyers@semissourian.com

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Pertinent address:

711 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO