Lake Saint Louis: A Smoke-Free Leader in St. Charles County
After a deliberate process that included many discussions, public hearings and numerous contacts from constituents, the Lake Saint Louis Board of Aldermen voted 4-2 last night to make all workplaces, bars and restaurants smoke-free. 

Congrats to those who supported the effort and worked hard to make it happen.
We applaud Lake Saint Louis for being a leader for health in St. Charles County!

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
By Mark Schlinkmann
03/16/2010

LAKE SAINT LOUIS -- Aldermen in Lake Saint Louis voted Monday night to ban smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places.

The measure, which was approved 4-2, would be the first smoke-free law in St. Charles County. The bill would take effect six months after it is signed by Mayor Mike Potter.

The sponsor, Alderman John Pellerito, said Potter has told him he would sign the ban despite his opposition to it.

Potter, who was out of town Monday and could not be reached for comment, has called a ban an infringement on the rights of business owners. He has until the board's next meeting April 5 to sign or veto the bill.

Pellerito said his bill would protect Lake Saint Louis residents and people who work in the city of about 14,000 "from the dangers of secondhand smoke." 

Pellerito, who tried unsuccessfully in 2007 for a smoking ban, began pushing the idea again last November. That was a few weeks after St. Louis County residents voted for a smoke-free plan that will take effect in January. A ban in St. Louis also will start then.

Practically speaking, the primary effect of the Lake Saint Louis ban would be on a handful of bars and restaurants that now allow smoking. Various other establishments and buildings already are smoke-free.

Unlike the St. Louis County ban, the Lake Saint Louis plan has no exemption for bars selling a small amount of food.

It would, however, exempt meeting places of nonprofit groups (mainly veterans and fraternal organizations) with no employees. Hotels and motels would be allowed to set aside up to 20 percent of rooms for smokers.

Lake Saint Louis now allows smoking only in establishments with smoking sections that have air purifier filtration systems. Critics say that doesn't keep smoke from wafting into nonsmoking areas.

Before passing the smoking ban Monday night, aldermen rejected delaying a vote until after residents can weigh in via a questionnaire or advisory referendum.

"It's such a large issue," said Alderman Harry Slyman, who proposed the delay. "It's not just voting for a stop sign."

City Attorney Jay Summerville previously advised the board that spending on a nonbinding referendum could be subject to challenge because state law is silent on whether Lake Saint Louis and other fourth-class cities can hold such elections.

So Slyman on Monday emphasized circulating a questionnaire or survey.

Meanwhile, the St. Charles County Council next month is expected to begin public discussion of a proposal to put a countywide smoking ban on the fall ballot.

Kirkwood and Ballwin are the only cities in St. Louis County to have bans. Arnold, in Jefferson County, has a ban. Illinois has a statewide ban. The Missouri Legislature is considering one.