UPDATED: St. Louis Alderman Greg Carter, chairman of the committee hearing testimony on a proposed smoking ban for most public places in the city, will hold a third hearing next week. It is set for 1 p.m. July 9 at City Hall.

Alderman Lyda Krewson, sponsor of the bill, had hoped Carter would call for a vote after yesterday’s hearing was over. If the committee supports it, the bill moves to the full Board of Aldermen for consideration. Those who testified for Krewson’s bill on Wednesday included Mayor Francis Slay,  St. Louis Rams linebacker Chris Draft and state Reps. Jeanette Mott Oxford and Jamilah Nasheed, both St. Louis Democrats.

At this rate, there is no way the full Board of Aldermen would be able to pass (or kill) the bill before the legislators go on summer break July 10 (returning Sept. 18).  While she is anxious for its passage, Krewson said she wants to make sure that everyone who wants to speak out for and against the ban gets a chance to do so.

The bill would ban smoking in restaurants and bars, although patios and other outside areas wouuld be exempt. The city’s two casinos would also be allowed to let customers continue smoking on the gaming floors, but the restaurant and bars in those facilities would be smoke-free.

The caveat of the bill is one of the most controversial aspects of the legislation: The smoking ban would not go into effect unless St. Louis County passes a similar bill, and there seems to be little interest in doing so considering failed efforts in the county in 2005 and 2006. St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley favors a statewide ban. Many of the opponents and supporters who spoke Tuesday and Wednesday regarding the city smoking ban bill also favor a statewide ban to assure that a ban in one place doesn’t drive business to a nearby city or county.