Debate on St. Louis smoking ban put out for the summer
Carter
ST. LOUIS – Alderman Gregory Carter extinguished on Thursday any hopes of City Hall acting on a smoking ban proposal this summer.
After taking testimony at a third crowded hearing, Carter, chair of the aldermanic Health Committee, postponed voting on the measure until after the board returns from its summer break in September.
The delay comes amid further questioning from tavern owners and aldermen about the effect a smoking prohibition would have on small businesses. Several also pointed to a recent amendment to the plan -– allowing smoking on casino floors –- as unfair.
Carter insists the proposal is not dead, But the extra time will, he said, let aldermen craft a bill that would be more palatable to both sides of the issue.
“You can’t shove this down the throats of individuals in the city,” Carter said.
The bill, which would outlaw smoking in restaurants and most other indoor businesses, would only go into effect if St. Louis County passes similar legislation.
First, though, it would have to pass the Health Committee and then the full Board of Aldermen.
Alderman Carter,
Great job in recommending this be fully studied for effects on small business and allowing the business community the opportunity to speak.
Finally a politician with intelligence and appreciation for the rights of everyone.
At least , whatever the outcome, we know it has been dealt with with a degree of professionalism.
Good Job Alderman
Funny choice of words, there, Mr. Carter. Non-smokers get something far worse shoved down their throats every time they socialize with friends or dine in restaurants with smokers in the nearby bar or smoker’s section.
Get with the times, sir. Every forward-thinking city in the country is far ahead of St. Louis on this issue. Why are you exposing us, not just to poisonous smoke, but to the ridicule of a nation looking forward to the All Star Game?
It’s time St. Louis joined the rest of the civilized world and banned smoking in public, bottom line! The politicians of this city need to step forward to set a precedence for sister cities and nearby towns to show that regardless of fear-mongering and an anti-health stance adopted by businesses and residents whose choice to smoke affects the well-beings of others, the smart thing is to protect everyone from this foul and nasty habit. If you want to smoke, go for it; just don’t do it where others have no option except to leave or not visit public venues because someone chooses to pollute the air for everyone. The alternative is to give smokers their own bars and clubs; the sooner they die of lung cancer and related illness, the sooner the rest of the society can enjoy life SMOKE FREE!
A real shame. I have worked for the smoke-free cause since moving here, to no avail (yet). I am glad I am moving, and this one reason why. Though I wish everyone luck in encouraging this area to catch up with the times and encouraging some smokers and business owners to stop hurting other people via secondhand smoke.
What does “smoke-free” mean. The EPA does not break it down for the proper spin media blitz. The biggest exposure to in-door smoke is cooking. So cozy up to your Fireplace, or BBQ, then light a candle before you break out your frying pan of death.
Horrible that clean air will have to be postponed, and that I will have to wait longer to eat in many of St Louis fine restaurants.
The Health and Human Services Committee received testimony from economists predicting that St. Louis City will suffer more from a smoking ban than would the County. One economist predicts that a smoking ban would eliminate 1 in 5 bar jobs in St. Louis City. Another predicts that a smoking ban could cut revenues at 80 percent of St. Louis City bars and up to 54 percent of City restaurants.
To Bill Hannegan: With all due respect, health and welfare should not be measured in dollars and cents, but especially so when smoke-free air can be provided so easily and cheaply with a smoke-free air ordinance covering all workplaces. Inserting speculative economic arguments about lost business is a tobacco-industry inspired ploy.
Martin Pion, President, Missouri GASP
http://mogasp.wordpress.com/