ST. LOUIS MO (KPLR) -
St. Louis County voters overwhelmingly passed a smoking ban that will now take effect in St. Louis City as well. Business owners have a little more than one year to get prepared, but there are concerns, already.
Owner of Harry's Restaurant and Bar, Harry Belli, says he speaks from experience. He laid-off 45 employees and lost thousands of dollars when he shut down Harry's West after Ballwin enacted a smoking ban. Even though this smoking ban covers all of St. Louis City and County, he is concerned because casinos have an exemption.
The law making process includes gives and takes, to supporters of the ban. This ban will create smoke-free air in most public places. In St. Louis County, there will be an exemption for bars and restaurants with food sales less than 25 percent.
In St. Louis City, there will be a five year exemption for smaller, neighborhood bars inside a building smaller than 2,000 square feet. Eventually they will be smoke free as well.
Supporters of the smoking ban feel someday Missouri will join Illinois and ban smoking statewide.
Smoking will be allowed on patios, but banned anywhere inside. The smoking ban becomes law in January of 2011.
Owner of Harry's Restaurant and Bar, Harry Belli, says he speaks from experience. He laid-off 45 employees and lost thousands of dollars when he shut down Harry's West after Ballwin enacted a smoking ban. Even though this smoking ban covers all of St. Louis City and County, he is concerned because casinos have an exemption.
The law making process includes gives and takes, to supporters of the ban. This ban will create smoke-free air in most public places. In St. Louis County, there will be an exemption for bars and restaurants with food sales less than 25 percent.
In St. Louis City, there will be a five year exemption for smaller, neighborhood bars inside a building smaller than 2,000 square feet. Eventually they will be smoke free as well.
Supporters of the smoking ban feel someday Missouri will join Illinois and ban smoking statewide.
Smoking will be allowed on patios, but banned anywhere inside. The smoking ban becomes law in January of 2011.
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