Tobacco Free St. Louis Pushes for Complete Smoking Ban

Group will ask the St. Louis County Council to eliminate smoking ban exemptions.

Tobacco-Free St. Louis will push the St. Louis County Council to expand the current smoking ban in the county to eliminate exemptions to the 2011 Clean Air Act. Businesses eligible for smoking bans include casinos, Lambert International Airport and bars where food makes up a small percentage of sales. The airport later went smoke-free despite its exempt status. The group made the announcement during a press conference Thursday morning at Three Kings Public House in University City. The group said there are currently 145 exemptions to the ban with the majority of those (56) coming in the North County area. There are 20 exemptions in mid-County, 41 in South County and 29 in the West County area. "The most vulnerable are the ones who are most…

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RCOverdrive

12:34 pm on Saturday, March 17, 2012

I don't go into them and won't when I have the choice. Thankfully I now have many choices thanks to the bans that have been put in place and the restaurants that choose to abide by the rules. Illinois Bars, Casino Queen, Brewzki's O'Fallon MO, Syberg's Dorsett, Bottleneck Blues Bar, Blueberry Hill... get my business!!!   more ›

PatchCast

Daily PatchCast: St. Charles May Consider Smoking Signs, Creve Coeur Has Trial Period for Metal Detectors and More

A roundup of St. Louis news headlines for Tuesday.

Here are the top stories from Patch sites in your area:

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St. Louis County to Look into Tightening Smoking Ban Exemptions

The St. Louis County Council will look into tightening or even eliminating smoking ban exemptions.

Several St. Louis County residents told the St. Louis County Council Tuesday that they want smoking ban exemptions tightened up or eliminated. Just weeks after the smoking ban went into effect, County Executive Charlie Dooley had announced that 110 businesses had received smoking ban exemptions, more than the county had anticipated. Businesses eligible for smoking bans include casinos, Lambert International Airport and bars where food makes up a small percentage of sales. The airport later went smoke-free despite its exempt status.  “The basis for the smoking ban was clear,” Kendra Israel of Richmond Heights told the council during its Tuesday meeting. “It was about protecting the health of the St. Louis community. The exemptions …

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Smoking Porch to Open This Week at Blueberry Hill

Customers will be able to enjoy a smoke at Blueberry Hill starting this week.

Good news for smokers headed to Blueberry Hill. The restaurant's smoking section is expected to be open for business this week. The smoking porch is slated to open Monday, Tuesday at the absolute latest, according to the bartender. Blueberry Hill still has to install heaters in the enclosed smoking porch. The smoking section is located off the dart room. St. Louis County banned indoor smoking on Jan 2. 

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Smokers In The Loop Take New Smoking Ban In Stride

University City Patch found very little grumbling among smokers adapting to new smoking ban.

"I have no problem smoking outside," said Andrew Bedchezk of University City as he lit up in an enclosed tent next to the Market Pub House in the Loop.  "I think it's good," he said, referring to the smoking ban that went into effect Jan. 2 in St. Louis and St. Louis County. "When you smoke inside.. some people don't like it and your clothes could smell. So I understand. I get it." Robert Hazelwood, manager of the Market Pub House, said the ban isn't really a big deal for them. He says they've never allowed patrons to smoke inside before 10:00 pm. To accommodate smokers, the restaurant has set up a temporary enclosed tent with heaters in patio space next to their building.  University City Patch was hard-pressed to find any smokers …

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Blueberry Hill Making Progress on Outdoor Smoking Section

Blueberry Hill's outdoor smoking porch is taking shape.

Blueberry Hill is working fast to have its outdoor smoking porch up and ready before the indoor smoking ban kicks in at midnight on Jan. 2nd.

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Arts and Entertainment with Jeff Brandt

Butting Heads on Puffing Butts

The smoking ban comes as a disaster to some and a delight to others in the Delmar Loop.

Depending on whom you ask, the impending St. Louis County indoor smoking ban is either a heinous infringement of personal rights or a long-awaited breath of fresh air. St. Louis County constituents voted in favor of the ban in 2009. The law goes into effect on Jan. 2. For better or for worse, this legislation will change the way Delmar Loop taverns and restaurants do business. Blueberry Hill has literally laid the foundation for an outdoor heated smoking area. Construction workers have poured the concrete and erected wooden beams for the add-on, which will be adjacent to the dart room. "It's going to be a good alternative to standing on the street," said Tommy Schoch, one of Blueberry Hill's bar managers. The heated area will be …

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