County Executive Charlie Dooley has said that he would prefer for this issue to be addressed on a statewide level. Last month, two state representatives testified in front of the Health Committee of the Board of Aldermen, saying that Jeff City will not address the smoke-free issue until the major municipalities in the state go smoke-free of their own volition. In essence, the state reps asked city officials to make some headway on going smoke-free. It is somewhat common knowledge that the Big Tobacco lobby is strongest at the state level; in fact, in Kansas City, Big Tobacco lobbyists put up $250,000 trying to defeat KC's smoke-free air law. Kansas City went smoke-free in 2008. 

According to the Post-Dispatch, as of Monday night, Barbara Fraser has not completed the language of the bill. We hear that it will contain some exemptions, but hopefully all our questions will get answered tonight! 

If you're passionate about seeing St. Louis County AND St. Louis City go smoke-free, please take a few minutes to email the following Council members: bfraser@stlouisco.com, kburkett@stlouisco.com, momara@stlouisco.com, cwasinger@stlouisco.com, herby@stlouisco.com, sstenger@stlouisco.com, cdooley@stlouisco.com. Thank you for your support!