|
|
Recent Posts
POLL: 72 PERCENT OF ST. LOUIS COUNTY VOTERS SUPPORT STRONGER SMOKE-FREE LAW
A new poll released today demonstrates overwhelming support across St. Louis County for a stronger and comprehensive smoke-free workplace law.
An astounding 72% of likely St. Louis County voters support making all bars, restaurants, casinos, and other workplaces 100% smoke-free. Moreover, nearly two-thirds (64%) strongly favor such a law and support is strong across all party and demographic groups.
Additionally, when voters are informed about the current county law and asked specifically about including bars and casinos there is still very strong support with 65% favoring strengthening the current law, while only 33% oppose it.
71% believe the current law creates an unlevel playing field and there should be a countywide law that makes all bars and restaurants smoke-free.
The St. Louis County "Indoor Clean Air Code" has been in effect since January 1, 2011 and includes workplaces and restaurants but has various loopholes that have allowed some businesses to be exempt including casinos, some bars, bar & grills, banquet halls, and bowling alleys.
The countywide survey of 400 likely voters was conducted in late June by the national polling firm, The Mellman Group and released by the American Cancer Society.
Polling Results Memo HERE
Smoke-Free in Kansas and Kansas City
This week a new economic impact study came out regarding Kansas City's smoke-free law that has been in effect for over 2 years. The data laid out in this report clearly shows there was no significant change in sales tax data before and after the law -- the only unbiased means to measure impact of a smoke-free law. Read the full study here
In addition, the Kansas City Star newspaper has a strong editorial in support of smoke-free air laws (see below).
Kansas City Star Editorial: Snuffing out criticism of smoke-free laws
January 24, 2011
Several new reports include crucial and refreshing facts about local smoking bans. They dramatically clean up the air -- without financially damaging bars and restaurants that once allowed people to puff away.
These conclusions illustrate why it's essential that state legislators in Jefferson City finally pass a smoke-free law similar to the one Kansas approved in 2010. (Meanwhile, any Kansas legislators thinking about trying to repeal that new law should drop that effort.)
Also, it is time for elected leaders in Blue Springs, Raytown, Grandview and a handful of other Missouri-side cities to pass their own strict bans. One new study showed that the air pollution level in eight restaurants that allow smoking in Raytown was "five times higher than safe annual levels" established by the Environmental Protection Agency.
The studies recently released by the Health Care Foundation of Kansas City show:
•Smoke-free laws have created healthier workplaces for employees of bars and restaurants, as well as for their customers. Kansas' new ban slashed indoor air particle pollution from cigarettes by 94 percent in two dozen bars and restaurants. The reduction of smoke in workplaces could result in fewer health problems and cut future medical bills for many people.
•Smoke-free laws have not economically harmed bars or restaurants. In fact, one of the new studies established that the tough ordinance Kansas City voters approved in 2008 "had no statistically significant impact on taxable sales in eating and drinking establishments."
These reports provide compelling evidence that Kansas City voters acted wisely in endorsing their new smoke-free ordinance, despite concerns from critics at the time.
The studies also make it clear that a similar law in Missouri would clear the air in thousands of bars and restaurants across the state without harming their ability to stay in business.
Information Regarding the St. Louis City and St. Louis County Smoke-Free Laws
On January 2, 2011, both St. Louis City and St. Louis County implemented their respective smoke-free laws, below is information regarding what each actually covers (not everything!) and how to get information on filing complaints for violations and a list of places that are exempted.
If you encounter an issue or need additional information please contact us at smokefreestl@gmail.com
St. Louis County
Law covers:
restaurants, billiard halls, bingo halls, bowling alleys, child & adult daycare facilities, city/county owned buildings & vehicles, convention facilities, educational facilities, public building elevators, health care facilities, libraries, museums, other enclosed public places & workplaces not defined, restrooms in public buildings, shopping malls, sports arenas, taxi cabs, limos, buses, theaters, vehicles of public transportation.
Law does NOT cover:
1) "drinking establishments" that sell 25% or less of their revenue for food; list of exempted places here
2) casinos
3) retail tobacco stores (with 60% or more from sale of tobacco)
4) cigar bars
5) outdoor dining areas
6) private clubs (not exempt when open to the public)
7) private residences not serving as a place of employment
8) 20% of hotel/motel rooms (if designated)
Note: The drinking establishment and cigar bar exemption states smoke must not infiltrate into areas otherwise prohibited by the ordinance.
To report a violation (enforcement is primarily complaint driven): http://www.stlouisco.com/HealthandWellness/EnvironmentalServices/IndoorCleanAirCodeComplaintForm.aspx
Additional Information from the St. Louis County Department of Health website: http://www.stlouisco.com/HealthandWellness/IndoorCleanAirCode
St. Louis City
Law Covers:
restaurants, billiard halls, bingo halls, private and semi-private rooms of nursing homes, child & adult daycare facilities, city/county owned buildings & vehicles, convention facilities, educational facilities, public building elevators, health care facilities, libraries, museums, other enclosed public places & workplaces not defined, restrooms in public buildings, shopping malls, sports arenas, taxi cabs, limos, buses, theaters, vehicles of public transportation.
Law does NOT cover:
1) bars that sell 25% or less of their revenue for food AND are 2,000 square feet or less (minus kitchen, storage and restroom areas) *exemption expires in Jan 2015
2) casino gaming floors
3) retail tobacco stores (with 50% or more from sale of tobacco)
4) outdoor dining and employment areas
5) private clubs (not exempt when open to the public)
6) private residences not serving as a daycare or healthcare facility
7) 20% of hotel/motel rooms (if designated)
To report a violation, contact the Citizens Service Bureau at (314) 622-4800 or via Twitter @stlcsb
Full copy of the ordinance here
(smoke)Free at Last...
Today's Post-Dispatch features an editorial regarding the recent U.S. Surgeon General's report, the region's soon-to-be-enacted smoke-free laws and the unraveling of years of tobacco industry influence in St. Louis. This recent surgeon general's report makes it clear, once again, that there is no such thing as a safe cigarette and no such thing as a safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke for nonsmokers - stating, "any exposure to tobacco smoke -- even an occasional cigarette or exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke -- is harmful."
Editorial: Airport, and region, going smoke-free at last
St. Louis Post-Dispatch Editorial Board
Friday, December 10, 2010
In a single stroke this week, Mayor Francis Slay undid the work of generations of tobacco industry lobbyists and executives. He announced that Lambert-St. Louis International Airport will go smoke-free.
Beginning on Jan. 2, five glass-enclosed smoking lounges at the airport, built in response to behind-the-scenes pressure from the tobacco industry, will be closed.
That same day, smoking no longer will be allowed in most public places in St. Louis and St. Louis County. The vast majority of citizens who do not smoke finally will gain the right to breathe clean indoor air.
Just by coincidence, Mr. Slay's announcement came the same day U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina M. Benjamin released a new tobacco report, the 30th such surgeon general's report since 1964.
"There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke," it reads in part. "Any exposure to tobacco smoke -- even an occasional cigarette or exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke -- is harmful."
The report details the pathology of tobacco-related disease, noting that chemicals in tobacco smoke damage DNA and cause nearly one-third of all cancer deaths in this country.
It quotes from the abundant scientific literature on how even low-level exposure causes "a rapid and sharp increase" in inflammation of the lining of blood vessels, which is linked to heart attack and stroke.
"Cigarettes were designed for addiction," the report says. No change in their design over the past 50 years -- not filters, "low-tar" formulations or the marketing of so-called light cigarettes -- has reduced the damage they do.
Expect to hear howls of protest about the new clean indoor air rules from smokers and tobacco industry apologists. They're operating from a playbook first crafted decades ago.
For Full Story, click HERE
Implementation Update: St. Louis County
The St. Louis County Department of Health now has their smoke-free law implementation website up. It includes FAQs and a link to a list of exempted bars so far. http://www.stlouisco.com/doh/IndoorCleanAirCode/index.html
Here are some key FAQs from the site:
Q: When does St. Louis County go smoke-free?
A: Beginning at midnight on January 2, 2011, the Saint Louis County Indoor Clean Air Code prohibits smoking in all indoor workplaces and public places including restaurants and bars. A limited amount of exemptions are made in the Code for establishments that meet the criteria.
Q: How can I file a complaint?
A: Complaints can be filed with the St. Louis County Health Department. To file a complaint by phone, call 1-314-615-8900 during regular business hours. Click here to file a complaint electronically. (Link to PDF of Complaint Form) note: link isn't up yet
St. Louis City and St. Louis County Smoke-Free Law Implementation Date Nearing
Over a year after voters approved Proposition N in St. Louis County, we're finally nearing the implementation date for both St. Louis City and St. Louis County's smoke-free indoor air laws. With only 3 weeks to go, details are emerging on how the laws will be enforced and how they're being interpreted by each government. As we receive details on what places will be exempted, how to file complaints and other helpful information, we'll share them.
Other cities' examples show us when the public is readily informed, equipped with all the facts on the law and how it's enforced, implementation is a simple and hassle-free process. We hope supporters in our area will do their best to help spread the word of the new law and work with local leaders to ensure a smooth transition. January 2, 2011 can't come soon enough!
Update on St. Louis City & Square Footage Exemptions:
Tents to count as "enclosed space" for smoking ban exemptions
KWMU, 90.7 FM
ST. LOUIS (St. Louis Public Radio) - Bars in St. Louis that use tents to expand their seating area will have to include that space as they determine if they may be exempt from the city's smoking ban.
The Joint Board on Health and Hospitals on Thursday agreed with the health department's interpretation that tents should be considered enclosed spaces.
"If you have the potential to roll down the sides, it should be considered enclosed," said board member Will Ross, an associate dean at the Washington University School of Medicine.
John Vieluf, the general manager of Big Daddy's in Soulard, found the notion laughable.
"On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, a big bar day, you know, it rained a lot," he said. "I was outside for two and a half hours pushing water off our patio that was coming through the tent. If water's coming in that much through the tent, it's not really enclosed. It was coming in everywhere."
Without the tents, Vieluf said, Big Daddy's would probably qualify for a five-year exemption from the ban, which is given to bars that make 75 percent or more of their revenue from selling alcohol and are smaller than 2,000 square feet. A ban on smoking would affect business at the bar, though he wasn't sure how much.
"We'll probably keep the tents up though," he said. "We still have the business, you know, on the weekends, and we can do private parties out there."
Interim city health director Pamela Rice Walker said including tents is the only way to be fair.
"You have one liquor license, you have one health permit, you're one facility," she said.
The ban in St. Louis County also includes exemptions for bars that make at least 75 percent of their money from alcohol, with no square footage limits. But Walker doesn't expect that distinction to cost city bars much business.
"Their ordinance includes some things like you have to be 15 feet from the door to smoke, which I think it going to impact patios, and ours does not have that," she said.
The health department will be sending bar owners a letter next week that includes the new rules - the ban takes effect January 2.
© Copyright 2010, St. Louis Public Radio
|
|
