Smoking Ban in St. Louis City... Maybe

The Board of Aldermen in St. Louis City recently passed a smoking ban by a vote of 20 to 7. The ban would prohibit smoking in indoor public places, but there are exemptions for casinos, tobacco stores and some hotel rooms. Bars less than 2,000 square feet would also be exempt for the first five years.

Okay, now here's the catch. The city smoking ban will go into effect in January 2011, but only if St. Louis County approves a similar ban. County residents will vote on the issue next week on the November 3 ballot.