St. Louis Post-Dispatch Suburban Journals:
Region could see more smoking bans
By Shawn Clubb, February 10, 2009

When the Ballwin Clean Air Act snuffed out smoking in most public places, it meant the end of business as usual at the French Quarter Bar and Grill.

But it didn't mean the end of business.

French Quarter took a hit when the smoking ban took effect for bars and restaurants on Jan. 1, 2006, said Brian Armstrong, a co-owner of the business at 14766 Manchester Road. At one point, it was so dead at the French Quarter that the owners would park out front to make it look busy.

"We had no customers, but it caught on after a while," Armstrong said. "We remodeled. We redecorated. We developed a new crowd."

If proponents of local, regional and statewide smoking legislation have their way, more businesses might have to reinvent themselves.

Smoke-Free St. Louis City has ramped up publicity for its efforts. Five St. Louis County mayors have asked the County Council to revisit smoke-free legislation. A Ste. Genevieve state representative is seeking a public vote on a statewide ban. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn just signed legislation to make that state's ban more enforceable.

These omens all foretell one ending - more bans, said Bill Hannegan of Keep St. Louis Free, an organization opposed to smoking bans.

"What happens in a lot of communities is the opposition to a ban gets worn out," he said. "It's difficult to keep a fight like this up forever." (story truncated, click here for rest)

Smoky St. Louis City

The Smoke-Free St. Louis City coalition has been active for more than two years, focusing on public education.

The coalition has begun spreading it's message in a variety of ways. It is active on the social networking Web sites. It has underwritten programs on public radio, bought radio ads and a billboard ad.

For full story, click here.