Yesterday, the Creve Coeur City Council voted unanimously to pass a stricter smoking ban than the one that will be enforced by the rest of the county soon. Creve Coeur’s ban, effective January 2, 2011, includes all public places with employees, such as casinos, bars, and assisted-living facilities—not just restaurants. Councilman Robert Haddenhorst told the Post-Dispatch he hopes the ban will send a message that Missouri is ready for a statewide smoking ban.
Of course, Creve Coeur isn’t the only nearby city to pass a stricter smoking ban. Clayton, Kirkwood, Brentwood, and Ballwin are among other St. Louis-area cities cracking down on smokers. Here’s a brief snapshot, in case you’re curious where it’s legal to light up.
St. Louis County
Vote: Passed by St. Louis County Council, July 2009; passed by voters, November 2009
Details: Smoking ban for restaurants and bars. Provides an exemption for any business doing 75 percent of sales in alcohol. Casino gaming floors, smoking lounges at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, private clubs, retail tobacco shops, and hotel smoking rooms are also exempt.
Effective Date: January 2011
Clayton
Vote: Passed by Clayton City Council, July 2009
Details: Smoking is allowed in outdoor dining areas, but banned in offices, hotels, restaurants, and bars.
Effective Date: July 2010
Kirkwood
Vote: Declined by Kirkwood City Council, July 2009; passed by voters, November 2009
Details: Applies to “enclosed” spaces. Private homes (except for those used for commercial purposes), as well as 20 percent of the rooms in a hotel, tobacco shops, and private membership organizations in existence prior to March 1, 2009 are exempt.
Effective Date: January 2010
Brentwood
Vote: Passed by Brentwood City Council, August 2010
Details: Smoking banned at all bars, restaurants, and places of employment and public places. Exemptions for some hotel rooms, as well as private residences, private vehicles, and tobacco shops. Patrons of bars and restaurants are allowed to smoke outside and on patios. This ban also prohibits smoking in three establishments exempt by the county: DD’s Irish Pub and Karaoke (formerly Double D Lounge), Sideline Bar, and American Legion Hall.
Effective Date: January 2011
Ballwin
Vote: Passed by City Council in 2004
Details: Smoking banned in all workplaces, including bars and restaurants. Private clubs with no employees are exempt
Effective Date: January 2006
