Dooley Does About Face, No Smoking Vote awaits Nov. 3 Ballot

In an about face, St. Louis County Executive Charles Dooley signed a bill Friday that will allow county voters to decide Nov. 3 whether or not to ban smoking in public places, if a judge will waive the deadline missed earlier this week by the Council. 

Dooley, a former smoker, said there are pros and cons in the bill and that it should be up to voters to decide. 

"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," Dooley said. "The people of St. Louis County deserve to be heard at the polls."
Earlier this summer, he indicated he was not in favor of a smoking ban in St. Louis County if adjacent jurisdictions permitted it to lure bar and restaurant customers. 

Opposition to the bill continues from the American Cancer Society, American Lung Association and American Heart Association. All are objecting to exemptions in the proposal for casinos, bars whose liquor sales top 75 percent of revenue, and Lambert Airport.  

Bill Hannegan, the organizer of Keep St. Louis Free was quoted in the St. Louis Post Dispatch on the reaction from the bowling community.