DAPHNE, Ala. — The City Council Tuesday didn’t vote on a city-wide smoking ban but it did hold a public hearing for food service employees to give their say on the issue — an opportunity they evidently declined.

The hearing — the second one scheduled for public opinion, since Jan. 7, a busy day for restaurants due to a football game — drew comments from both sides, but no one who approached the podium represented a restaurant or bar.

“Not one single business owner in Daphne came to speak against it — and I think that speaks volumes,” Councilman August Palumbo said.

Willie Robison agreed and said, “They (business owners) should’ve packed this place to address the issues as to whether or not they were for or against it.”

Those who gave their input, however, were passionate in their stance.

“This is not a smoker’s rights issue,” said Tina Findley, a tobacco prevention and control coordinator for the Alabama Department of Public Health. “Even a few minutes of exposure (to cigarette smoke) can be detrimental to a person’s health.”

Exposure to second-hand smoke is the third leading preventable death, and non-smoking employees — not just patrons — are vulnerable to the risk, she said.

“Some people may not have a choice (to work in a non-smoking establishment) if they want to make the best living they can for their family,” she said.

Brian Lazzari, a Daphne High School student, believed the ban could act as a deterrent to underage smoking.

He sometimes goes to the Waffle House before school, and there, he said, “I can see five to 10 students that I know are not of age to smoke.” Such actions, he believes, are often done in crowds where there is peer pressure.

For others, such concerns weren’t enough to justify a ban.

“I am aware of all the health risks … but I still do not believe it is the part of government to impose a smoking ban on privately owned business,” Mickey Boykin said.

Dan Rounds, a non-smoker, agreed the city shouldn’t legislate personal decisions.

“A majority vote has never in history made something a morally correct action,” he said.

Mark Nager agreed.

“I find habit of government to infringe on people’s civil liberties much more annoying than smoking,” he said.

“The smoking ban itself, I feel, is government theft,” he added. The law “steals restaurants’ sovereignty to make decisions … and hurts market niches since all (restaurants, then) are no-smoking.”

Bob Segalla pointed out that if the city does introduce a smoking ban, it better be able to back it up.

“A rule is no good unless you can enforce it and make it stick,” he said.

The smoking ordinance, as drafted, prohibits smoking on all city property, in all enclosed businesses, in outdoor seating areas and within 20 feet of entrances near prohibited areas.

In other business Tuesday:

*Mayor Fred Small issued a certificate of congratulations to Daphne High School, which recently was accepted for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

*The city recognized Anna Williams, a 22-year employee who retired Jan. 18.

Williams worked in the Daphne Senior Center for the Senior Adult Independent Living program, which serves lunch to citizens over age 60. She was responsible for serving the meals and overseeing the daily operations that included games, exercise and paper work.

“Ms. Williams was a dedicated worker and served the senior citizens of our community with all her heart,” Mary Jensen, Senior Center coordinator, said.

*Kenny Hanak, Daphne Fire Department battalion chief, won a $500 travel gift certificate. His name was drawn from those of 185 employees who are part of a city safety program founded in 2004.