Yes…smoking should be banned indoors in all public places. However, if restaurants or bars want to set up a smoking section outdoors (perhaps a heated tent)…that is fine with me. Non smokers should have a choice to go to public establishments and breath non polluted air. Smoking sections may minimize some of the problem, but it doesn’t eliminate it.

Frankly, I am amazed to see inconsiderate behavior of some smokers today. If I were a smoker…I would at least be polite enough about it to smoke out doors or away from others. I think we all have the freedom to smoke and do some other things…as long as our choices don’t hurt or affect others. Thank you.

Here is a workable compromise. If you serve prepared foods, then No Smoking. If you don’t then you can have smoking. This way if you have a bar with just bar snacks your customer’s can smoke. But if you want to serve food from a kitchen, then the smoking ban kicks in. Owners could then pick between their smoking bar business and their clean food business.

Make Missouri smoke free. I love live music, but cannot hear any indoor bar venues because of the smoke. It may be a good thing. I stay home and save my money. The smoking in Missouri is awful. I can’t even go across the street for a sandwich at lunchtime because of the horrible smoking in the restaurant. Wake up, Missouri!

Absolutely I avoid restaurants that have smoking.

St. Charles should enact smoke-free policies.

“St. Charles shouldn’t enact any smoking ban which covers bars, billiard parlors, bowling alleys, and small restaurants.” — Tony Palazzolo

These exceptions are ludicrous. For example, bowling alleys. Bowling alleys are not as common as they used to be. Why? Because a whole generation of childrens are not being taken to these smoke infested places. Bowling alley owners have kow-towed to the 20% minority population that smokes.

No.

The government needs to stop “banning” things.

If you don’t like a business - for whatever reason, don’t go there. If enough people don’t go there, they will change or fail.

I lost a loved one to alcohol - should the government ban beer? An aunt died of complications to obesity - should the government start controlling portion sizes?

I perform in those bars regularly. I hate the smoke. I would LOVE to see the bars go smoke-free.

But not by government mandate.

Protect the public that elected you!

Yes, PLEASE ban it in St. Charles! I bartend once a week in downtown St. Charles, and while it comes with the territory it doesn’t mean I enjoy being around it. I wake up the next morning with a second hand smoke hangover. It’s awful!

This is crazy. Besides the US becoming a nanny state and the fact that the business wasn’t started with our money and the fact that you don’t HAVE to go to these places… what’s next? Alcohol is bad for us, let’s ban that. Guns are bad for us, let’s ban that. Red Meat is bad for us, let’s ban that. Stop crying and do it on your own. If you don’t like the smoke go to places that are smoke free. That’s what I do. If enough people do that the smoking places will either change or go out of business. It’s called the free market. If you want I can direct you to some history (becuase no one believes in it anymore) books on the subject. Why must we look to government to “save” us all the time? Take a little responsibility for your own life. Man this country is a bunch of cry babies.

Yes please ban it but do it state wide not just in local areas. I do avoid certain establishments due to the smoke. I believe people have the right to smoke if they want but I shouldn’t have to breath it if I choose not to smoke. Also I should not have to avoid an establishment because of smoke. Smokers can still go to any establishment of their choice and still be a smoker but as a non smoker I can’t go to any establishment of my choice and still be a non smoker I am forced to avoid the establishment or suck it up and breath the smoke. And as for the smoking or non smoking sections unless you have the smoking section completely closed off the smoke still moves through the air throughout the entire establishment(the only difference is it is not blown directly in my face). Just because I am sitting on the other side of the room doesn’t mean I’m not still breathing smoke. Try going to a restaurant on a Saturday night about 6:00p.m. and request the non smoking section and see how long you have to wait while there are tables open in the smoking section. If there is a long wait for a non smoking table meaning longer then 10 to 15 minutes while I can see tables open in the smoking section I leave the establishment and go elsewhere. You can not compare alcohol and smoke in a bar. You can still go to the bar and not drink but if the bar allows smoking you can’t go to the bar and not breath smoke. Just because the person next to you is drinking while you are not you don’t still become intoxicated. When someone is smoking next to you your still breathing the same air their breathing. So yes I am in favor to ban smoking in the state of MO as well as all across the United States.