This year’s “Great American Smokeout” coincided with a new effort at City Hall to ban smoking in public places.

Prompted in part by a local petition drive, city officials are working up a draft ordinance that would ban public smoking in St Joseph.

 

At a work session Wednesday, more than fifty people showed up, including public health advocates, bar and restaurant owners, and civil libertarians, who have long been at odds on the issue here.

At the East Hills Shopping Center, a lot of activities were planned Thursday as part of the national effort to get you to quit called the “Great American Smokeout.”

From ten a.m. until noon, Clear Air St Joe will offer postcards with which you can send a note to members of the City Council to express how you feel. Starting at 5:00 p.m., Clear Air St Joe will present a Health Resource Fair, and offer prizes. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. they will present “Zumba for Smoke-Free Air” free of charge.

Clean Air St Joe will also present the 1st Annual Freedom From Smoking Class Reunion starting at 6:30 p.m.

The activities will be staged in the center court at the East Hills Mall.