Entries tagged with “smoking ban clayton” from Smoke-Free St. Louis
Clayton imposes smoking ban
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
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.
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.
The Clayton County Council voted 5 to 1 last night in favor of smoke-free bars and restaurants. The one "no" vote came from a council member who didn't think the bill was strong enough. The Council will hand down their final decision in July.
Clayton Smoking Ban Gets Initial OK
By Margaret Gillerman
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
CLAYTON -- Clayton officials on Tuesday took a giant step toward stamping out smoking in public places by giving initial approval to a smoking ban that would affect workplaces, stores, restaurants and hotels. They also urged other local governments to enact smoking bans so the entire region could go "smoke-free."
Clayton would become only the second among the 91 municipalities in St. Louis County to enact a ban if the aldermen and mayor approve the bill after one more reading. Ballwin is the other.
Mayor Linda Goldstein said she was willing for Clayton to lead the way and approve a ban even without similar bans by other governments but added she hoped others would follow.
"Tonight we face a big decision, one I hope will lead other municipalities to move forward on behalf of their citizens," Goldstein told the board and an audience that included many restaurant owners who opposed the ban.
Clayton would become only the second among the 91 municipalities in St. Louis County to enact a ban if the aldermen and mayor approve the bill after one more reading. Ballwin is the other.
Mayor Linda Goldstein said she was willing for Clayton to lead the way and approve a ban even without similar bans by other governments but added she hoped others would follow.
"Tonight we face a big decision, one I hope will lead other municipalities to move forward on behalf of their citizens," Goldstein told the board and an audience that included many restaurant owners who opposed the ban.
"Some people have urged Clayton not to go it alone ... to wait until there is a county or statewide ban," Goldstein said. "I agree that a more widespread ban would be ideal and I promise to continue my efforts with other municipalities and St. Louis County and city to take a regional approach to this issue. If we pass this ordinance, Clayton will serve as an example to other municipalities and will give them encouragement to pass similar legislation."
Alderman Michelle Harris also issued a challenge to other municipalities to join Clayton.
Final approval of the Clayton ban is mostly assured. All the six aldermen and the mayor spoke passionately about their support of a smoke-free Clayton. Alderman Alex Berger III cast the only dissenting vote and said he did so only because he wanted the ban to be stricter and extend to Clayton's parks and green space.
Clayton's ban would have some exceptions, including allowing smoking in tobacco shops, cigar bars and 20 percent of hotel rooms. In a compromise with opponents, the ban would allow smoking on businesses' outdoor patios.
The ban would not be implemented until July 2010 to allow for the economy to improve and for restaurants to prepare for the change.
Unlike recent public hearings on the smoking issue, the chamber had some empty seats and there were no rallies outside. But some restaurant owners showed up to voice their still strong concerns about the ban.
Alan Richman, owner of Sasha's Wine Bar, asked the board to consider amending the bill to "grandfather in" existing businesses until other municipalities adopt bans.
Natasha Creel, an owner of Roxane's, suggested that Clayton allow smoking for late night business at bars after the kitchens have closed. Frank Schmitz, leader of the Clayton Restaurateurs Alliance, said after the meeting that he objected to the exceptions for hotels but not for restaurants.
Anti-smoking advocates, parents, students, other residents and local doctors have turned out in force at City Hall in the last two months to champion the ban.
At the same time, the group of restaurant owners who belong to the Clayton Restaurateurs Alliance have packed meetings to denounce the proposal, saying it could force some of their businesses to close. They've told the aldermen that with the terrible economy and highway closings the timing couldn't be worse. They fear they'll be isolated with the ban and that customers will go to other nearby communities that allow smoking.
Several aldermen said they were sensitive to those concerns and favored the one-year delay in implementing the ban.
Alderman Judy Goodman, among others, said that public health was the main issue in support of the ban. "Continuing to allow smoking in Clayton seems incompatible with our priorities and our duty to protect the health and safety of this community," Goodman said.
Alderman Michelle Harris also issued a challenge to other municipalities to join Clayton.
Final approval of the Clayton ban is mostly assured. All the six aldermen and the mayor spoke passionately about their support of a smoke-free Clayton. Alderman Alex Berger III cast the only dissenting vote and said he did so only because he wanted the ban to be stricter and extend to Clayton's parks and green space.
Clayton's ban would have some exceptions, including allowing smoking in tobacco shops, cigar bars and 20 percent of hotel rooms. In a compromise with opponents, the ban would allow smoking on businesses' outdoor patios.
The ban would not be implemented until July 2010 to allow for the economy to improve and for restaurants to prepare for the change.
Unlike recent public hearings on the smoking issue, the chamber had some empty seats and there were no rallies outside. But some restaurant owners showed up to voice their still strong concerns about the ban.
Alan Richman, owner of Sasha's Wine Bar, asked the board to consider amending the bill to "grandfather in" existing businesses until other municipalities adopt bans.
Natasha Creel, an owner of Roxane's, suggested that Clayton allow smoking for late night business at bars after the kitchens have closed. Frank Schmitz, leader of the Clayton Restaurateurs Alliance, said after the meeting that he objected to the exceptions for hotels but not for restaurants.
Anti-smoking advocates, parents, students, other residents and local doctors have turned out in force at City Hall in the last two months to champion the ban.
At the same time, the group of restaurant owners who belong to the Clayton Restaurateurs Alliance have packed meetings to denounce the proposal, saying it could force some of their businesses to close. They've told the aldermen that with the terrible economy and highway closings the timing couldn't be worse. They fear they'll be isolated with the ban and that customers will go to other nearby communities that allow smoking.
Several aldermen said they were sensitive to those concerns and favored the one-year delay in implementing the ban.
Alderman Judy Goodman, among others, said that public health was the main issue in support of the ban. "Continuing to allow smoking in Clayton seems incompatible with our priorities and our duty to protect the health and safety of this community," Goodman said.
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