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Clayton imposes smoking ban
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
7/15/2009
CLAYTON — The city's aldermen unanimously passed on Tuesday a ban on indoor smoking in public places, but did not finish work on the issue.
"This is a historic moment for the city of Clayton," Mayor Linda Goldstein said.
The ban affects workplaces, stores, restaurants and hotels. But its main impact will be on the 85 restaurants in the city. The ban would have some exceptions, among them allowing smoking in tobacco shops, cigar bars, 20 percent of hotel rooms and on businesses' outdoor patios.
Current establishments have until July 1, 2010, to comply with the ban. New establishments must open smoke-free.
Clayton joins Ballwin as the only municipalities of the 91 in St. Louis County to have a ban. Arnold in Jefferson County also prohibits smoking in public places. Illinois has a statewide ban.
Goldstein said Clayton could promote itself as a place of smoke-free dining.
The mayor said the city would set up a task force to work with restaurant owners to help them comply with the ban.
Brian Carr, the owner of two upscale restaurants on the 100 block of North Central Avenue, said he objected to an exemption that allows smoking in outdoor seating areas less than 50 feet from another public entry. Restaurants are closer together than that on his block. Carr indicated he would like his outdoor areas to be smoke-free, but nearby outdoor restaurant seating might not be.
Alderman Alex Berger III wants to use the time until next July to work with the public so the city would include parks in the places where it bans smoking. The ordinance banning smoking "is a good one, but it could be a great one," Berger said. "It does not include playgrounds."
Goldstein promised to try to persuade other municipalities to pass similar smoking bans. The Kirkwood City Council may consider one on Thursday.
Goldstein was one of the mayors of five adjacent cities in central St. Louis County who signed a letter urging the county to pass an indoor smoking ban. She said she hoped the four other cities involved — Creve Coeur, Olivette, Overland and University City — would follow Clayton.
Bill Hannegan of St. Louis, an activist who opposes smoking bans, predicted after the aldermanic action that Clayton would remain alone in the initiative.
St. Louis aldermen are considering a smoking ban. If they impose one, it would be much weaker than Clayton's and may exclude bars, Hannegan said.
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