CLAYTON --St. Louis County Executive Charlie A. Dooley signed a bill Friday morning that will let voters decide on Nov. 3 whether to ban smoking in most indoor public places.
"I think it is imperative that the people of St. Louis County deserve to be heard at the polls," Dooley said before signing the bill in his office at the county administration building.
The bill, passed Tuesday night by the County Council, exempts casino floors, the smoking lounges currently in operation at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, and "drinking establishments" whose income from food is 25 percent or less of gross income.
The exemptions prompted some groups, including the American Cancer Society, to urge Dooley to veto the measure.
Dooley, a former smoker, said he recognizes that "this is not a perfect bill."
"But at the same time, I recognize as well that people should have the opportunity to vote on this important health issue."
"I think it is imperative that the people of St. Louis County deserve to be heard at the polls," Dooley said before signing the bill in his office at the county administration building.
The bill, passed Tuesday night by the County Council, exempts casino floors, the smoking lounges currently in operation at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, and "drinking establishments" whose income from food is 25 percent or less of gross income.
The exemptions prompted some groups, including the American Cancer Society, to urge Dooley to veto the measure.
Dooley, a former smoker, said he recognizes that "this is not a perfect bill."
"But at the same time, I recognize as well that people should have the opportunity to vote on this important health issue."
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