MISSION, Kan. -- Should citizens be prohibited from smoking in public places?

That's the question being considered in Mission. The City Council is considering making it illegal to smoke tobacco in bars, restaurants and any other public area.

SURVEY The city of Mission is considering an ordinance that would ban smoking in all enclosed public places. Should the ordinance go through? Yes, second-hand smoke is unhealthy. No, government shouldn't step on smokers' rights. I'm unsure. Results  |  Disclaimer

The city will host a public forum on the question Wednesday at 7 p.m. The hearing will be held at the Powell Community Center at 6200 Martway.

According to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation, 60 U.S. municipalities have restrictions that make it illegal to smoke in workplaces, restaurants and bars, while 396 local governments make it illegal to smoke in other enclosed public places.

Under Mission's proposed ordinance, bars and restaurants would not have the option of keeping a smoking section, KMBC's Martin Augustine reported. One Mission resident disagreed with the proposed ban.

"I believe in the right to do what you want to do. That's what America was founded on. Now you want to take away everybody's rights? What's going to be next?" asked local resident David Dallo.

However, others said they would support a ban. Kenneth Davis is pushing for the ordinance because he believes it's nonsmokers' rights that are in jeopardy. Davis, who has never been a smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer last year.