The Branson Board of Aldermen have begun the process of drafting a smoking ban ordinance in the southwestern Missouri city of just under 11,000 residents.

At their study session on Thursday, the board heard from members of the Taney County Health Department and representatives from the Tri-Lakes Clean Air Alliance and tobacco cessation specialist Jim Brawner, according to a Branson Tri-Lakes News report.

Specifics of what the ordinance will entail remain vague at this point, as the board has said they wish to avoid making the same mistakes as other cities who have tried to enact such a measure, as well as wanting to ensure that they are sensitive to smokers.

Branson is home to just under 11,000 residents.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.