The St. Louis County Council on Tuesday granted two lounges in Harrah's casino in Maryland Heights an exemption from the county's new smoking ban.

Harrah's serves only drinks in its VooDoo Lounge and a piano bar.

The vote on the exemption bill was 4-2 with newly-seated Councilman Pat Dolan, D-Richmond Heights, abstaining. Dolan declined to vote on any bill that was up for final passage.

He said after the council meeting that he did not have enough information on them.

The council also reduced the time dog and cat owners can leave their pets tethered outdoors. The measure would cut tethering time to eight continuous hours from 10, and a total of nine hours in 24 hours from 12.

It would prohibit tethering dogs or cats outdoors unattended when temperatures reach 90 degrees or more or fall to 32 degrees or less.

The council selected Councilman Steve Stenger, D-south St. Louis County, as chairman for this year.