One important issue that will no longer be appearing in the St. Charles County November election is the long-petitioned smoking ban. The ban would have prohibited smoking in all indoor public places in St. Charles; however, it was pulled from the ballot on Sept. 11 due to its confusing wording. Under the circumstances, this was a very good decision.

I’m not saying smoking is a good thing. Cleaner air and fewer smoke-related illnesses is a worthy cause. But preventing it would have a negative impact on the people of St. Charles and the students and teachers of FHN.

The ban would drive people from local businesses. In an interview with the Suburban Journals, Mayor Sally Faith stated an outright smoking ban could cause St. Charles to lose up to $3 million annually. That’s no small amount. In a time when we need money coming in to support our businesses, when we need our economy strong to support our schools (what with FHN’s declining budget and surplus for spending), we can’t afford to turn away paying customers due to a lifestyle choice. Money is money.

The ban had an option to be excluded in some areas, such as casinos or hotel rooms. For the future, this exclusion may be the solution, the right balance between health and economic needs. But for now, until that can be clearly established, it shouldn’t be voted on.