Health Care Issues

St. Charles Smoking Ban: Officials Consider New Policy As Critics Argue For Property Rights

Is a government ban on smoking an infringement on property rights? That's a central question that has emerged in the city of St. Charles, which had its final of three public hearings on the so-called "Smoke-Free Air Act" last night. As we reported earlier this month, the city is in the early stage ... More >>

New Smoking Bans? City of St. Charles Now Considering "Smoke-Free Air Act"

Is the city of St. Charles next? In recent months, there has been a surge in proposals related to smoking bans at every level of government in Missouri from municipal ordinances to statewide efforts -- and now officials in St. Charles are soliciting feedback for a preliminary effort labeled the "S ... More >>

No Smoking: New Ban for St. Clair County Public Housing Units, Likely Start of a Trend

In St. Louis County, elected officials and business owners have been fighting over a proposal to ban smoking inside most establishments -- even ones that were previously exempt. But across the river in Illinois, St. Clair County is successfully pushing forward with a different kind of smoking poli ... More >>

Smoking Ban: St. Louis County Council Considers Fewer Exemptions, Stricter Policy

Under current St. Louis County policy, cigar bars, casino gaming areas and some drinking establishments are exempt from the ban on smoking. But that could all change if a recently introduced bill from St. Louis County Councilman Michael O'Mara passes. The proposal, full version on view below, would ... More >>

Fight Over Missouri's Cigarette Tax Heats Up; Lung Association Gives State Failing Grade

​Missouri received its annual report card last week from the American Lung Association. The result ain't pretty. The state earned an "F" for tobacco prevention and control (spending just $58,693 last year to prevent tobacco use statewide); an "F" for smoke-free air (with legislators refusing to pa ... More >>

Obama's War on Weed

In a strange about-face, the president tries to hack medical marijuana off at the knees

Cigarette Mistrial Boiled Down to Smokers v. Nonsmokers on Jury

Smokers in the jury stood apart from the non-smoking colleagues.​A lawsuit that finally went to trial last month after wending its way though court for 11 years ended yesterday in a mistrial when the jury failed to deliver a verdict. The class-action lawsuit accused tobacco giant Phillip Morris of ... More >>

Missouri Workers Exceed National Average for Secondhand Smoke Exposure

​Nearly 12 percent of Missouri workers are exposed to secondhand smoke on their jobs, according a study published this week by the Center for Disease Control. That's nearly double the national average of around 7 percent. The survey used data collected from all Missouri counties in 2007 and 2008. ... More >>

Mizzou Research: Cigarettes Change Your Personality

Researchers say smoking is correlated with impulsiveness.​It's bad for your lungs. It's bad for your skin. It's bad for your heart. But is smoking really bad for your personality? Yes, say researchers at the University of Missouri, who believe that quitting smoking can give people a charisma ... More >>

St. Charles County Executive Vetoes Bill Calling for Vote on Smoking Ban

Ehlmann argues that smoking ban cannot play favorites.​Steve Ehlmann, the executive of St. Charles County, today announced that he's vetoed a bill that would place a countywide smoking ban on the ballot in November 2012. In a press release today, Ehlmann took objection to provisions in the bill pa ... More >>

St. Charles County Council Approves Public Vote for Smoking Ban

The fate of the smoking ban now lies with St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann.​By a vote of 4 - 2, the St. Charles County Council passed legislation yesterday that would put a countywide smoking ban on the November 2012 ballot. The issue isn't a done deal yet. County Executive Steve Ehlmann ... More >>

Tobacco-Free St. Louis Faces IRS Complaint Over Lobbying, Campaign Contribution

Jim Pepper is complaining to the IRS that an anti-smoking agency has crossed the line.​O'Fallon Councilman Jim Pepper has followed through on his threat to complain to the IRS about the political work of Tobacco-Free St. Louis.Pepper yesterday filed a complaint with the IRS, charging that the non- ... More >>

O'Fallon Councilman Taking on Anti-Smoking Groups

UPDATED at 3:15 p.m. to include comment from the American Cancer Society ​Tomorrow, residents of the St. Charles County city of O'Fallon will vote on a sweeping smoking ban -- one that's far tougher than those recently enacted in St. Louis City or St. Louis County.But one O'Fallon city councilman ... More >>

Cape Girardeau Could Have Missouri's First Smoke-Free Casino Following April 5 Vote

Cape Girardeau rolls the dice on smoking next week.​Here's an interesting tidbit out of Cape Girardeau where voters next week will be asked to weigh in on a smoking ban for bars, restaurants and most places open to the public. This week the group pushing for the ban, Smoke-Free Cape, filed paperwo ... More >>

Direct E-Cig Burns Missouri Customers, BBB Says

The BBB gives Direct E-Cig an F.​Smokeless cigarettes may be better for your health than the traditional cancer sticks.But when it comes to your wallet, the Better Business Bureau says, look out! They say they've received complaints from customers from 44 states, including 40 complaints from Miss ... More >>

Comment of the Day: That's Not a Smoking Ban! This IS a Smoking Ban!

Today's comment comes in response to today's post on the dozens of St. Louis bars that have applied for exemptions to the new smoking ban. Taking a look at the list, reader Dan opines:There is no ban. This is not a ban. Period. Go to Chicago, or even Columbia, and you will see a smoking ban. This i ... More >>

Lambert Field to Eliminate Smoking Lounges

​I never used the smoking lounges at Lambert Field, but I'm going to miss them. There was something deliciously anthropomorphic about corralling smokers inside glass cages as if they were some kind of sad, endangered animal. Personally, I always thought of a certain Far Side cartoon whenever I'd w ... More >>

Missouri Ranked 47th in Protecting Kids From Smoking

​Twelve years after the tobacco industry agreed to a multi-billion-dollar settlement with the attorneys general of 46 states, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is out with a new report examining how -- if at all -- those funds are being used to prevent youth from smoking.  The study isn't ki ... More >>

Creve Coeur Passes Smoking Ban with Exception of Crotchety, Old-Man Clubs

​Put that in your pipe, and smoke it. Such was the message at last night's Creve Coeur council meeting where council members voted unanimously (5-0) to pass a strict new smoking ban for all public places -- with the notable exceptions of the local American Legion Post and Elks Club.  Patrons ... More >>

Wash. U. Study Got It RIGHT: Smoke Eaters Don't Work

Martin Pion is founder of MO-GASP (Missouri Group Against Smoking Pollution)​Washington University researchers recently released a study of smoking pollution levels in various restaurants and bars in metro St. Louis. Airborne nicotine was used as a measure of secondhand smoke (SHS). Important ... More >>

The Straight Dope on Missouri Tobacco-Smokers

​About 23 percent of Missouri's adults still proudly identify as smokers, according to a new report by Washington University's Center for Tobacco Policy Research (CTPR). That means our state has one of the highest population of smokers in the country. Of all those unrepentant smokers, nearly ... More >>

Secondhand Smoke: Pretty Gross, Wash U Study Finds

​A study released today by Washington University found that bars and restaurants that allow smoking expose patrons and employees to all of nicotine's nasty effects.Well, duh.Genuinely surprising, though, was the finding that ventilation systems like Smokeeters appeared to make the problem worse.Th ... More >>

Pageant Going Smoke Free July 1

www.thepageant.com​The Pageant announced yesterday that it would go smoke-free July 1 -- six months before a city-wide smoking ban goes into effect. Club owner Joe Edwards says the change comes following requests from some 80 percent of visiting bands that prefer playing smoke-free shows. The move ... More >>

Illinois Medical Marijuana Bill Goes Up In Smoke

Image sourceRIP Compassionate Use of Medicinal Cannabis Pilot Program Act​"Illinois House lawmakers will likely not pass the dutchie until next legislative session."That's lede from an NBC Chicago story today on medical marijuana in the Land of Lincoln about the imminent demise of the Compassionat ... More >>

Mangia Italiano Goes Smoke-Free March 1

​As Riverfront Times music editor Annie Zaleski reported this morning on A to Z, the popular bar and restaurant on South Grand announced yesterday via their Twitter feed that they're going to become a non-smoking establishment starting March 1.An RFT interview earlier this month with David Timney, ... More >>

A little smoke-free trivia to clear the air

When sweeping smoking bans take effect next year, many bar patrons might not even notice the difference

Mangia Italiano Pondering Its Smoking Status

Over the weekend, Mangia Italiano's Twitter account tweeted a link to an interesting survey, which (among other things) asked patrons about the restaurant/venue and the smoking ban. When Robin Wheeler recently talked to executive chef David Timney about the future growth of the restaurant, their co ... More >>

RFT readers weigh in matters of biblical proportions, and huff and puff about the newly passed smoking ban

St. Louis is no fun — and that's a good thing! Plus: Obama's pants, an allegedly felonious Purina fat cat and more.

Cigar and Pipe Association Denounces Proposed Smoking Ban in St. Louis County

 Ever hear of the IPCPR? No? Well, they're not quite the NRA, but they do lobby hard for what they believe is a fundamental right for all Americans: the right to smoke in public. Today the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers Association sent out a release alerting media that it wil ... More >>

Gone Are the Days When Bars & Restaurants Simply Stopped Allowing Smoking...

...in light of all the hullabaloo surrounding potential smoking bans, going smoke-free is now apparently an act worthy of a press release. To wit: The Fox & Hounds, at the Cheshire Lodge, is now prohibiting smoking, per a statement sent to RFT today."This isn't about the rules or financial impac ... More >>

Butt Heads: Want to know where our public officials stand on smoking bans? OK, we'll ask 'em!

Enforcement Could Burn City Smoking Ban

flickr.com/photos/wallygThe ban prompts the questions: Will The Smokers abide? And who will make them?Alderwoman Lyda Krewson's bill banning smoking inside almost all public spaces in the city gets its first reading this morning in front of the Board of Aldermen. The ordinance would only go into eff ... More >>

Washington University Will Go Entirely Smoke Free Next Year

All of Washington University's St. Louis campuses will become entirely smoke- and tobacco-free by July of 2010. Current policy prohibits smoking inside any university building. The new ban will prohibit smoking anywhere on university property -- including outdoor areas. "We know it will be difficult ... More >>

Death Watch: Final Exit's clandestine ways have put the assisted-suicide network on life support

Medical Marijuana Comes to the Midwest

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/CMAG/938-022~Marijuana-Posters.jpgStarting next month, residents of Michigan will be able to petition their doctor for a pot prescription of up to twelve plants. Michigan is the first non-coastal state east of the Rocky Mountains to enact such a law.Techn ... More >>

No Smoking Ban for St. Louis? How Depressing.

Forget heart disease and lung cancer, which won't kill you for another 30 years or so, researchers from the University of Miami School of Medicine found that exposure to second-hand smoke may double the likelihood of depression:This study confirmed exposure to smoke by measuring cotinine -- a chemic ... More >>

Pot Hole: A southwest Missouri hamlet is leading the latest fight to legalize medical marijuana

Fired Up: RFT readers are sharply divided on whether St. Louis bars should be smokeless

Drag King: Bill Hannegan can't stop huffing and puffing about smoking bans in St. Louis

Smokers' Olympics

Stuff Unreal likes! Plus: We smoke and run and picture Abe Lincoln on a Segway.

Smoke and Mirrors in Hermann, Missouri

Smoke Signals

Have Anti-Smoking Rules and Regulations Gone Too Far?

Week of April 23, 2003

Indoor Fireworks

A Teamster tries to smoke out lawbreakers at Schnucks

The Media Go to Pot

How news outlets blew the medical-marijuana story

Unhealthy Relationship

John Ashcroft gets a shot in the arm from the pharmaceutical and insurance industries, as well as other lobbying groups opposed to a true Patients' Bill of Rights

Will the Real John Ashcroft Please Stand Up?

Missouri's junior senator says he is a pro-consumer health-care reformist. But the insurance companies, HMOs and big business, which give him millions, think he's on their side.

Cultivating Injustice

The perfectly imperfect case for legalizing medical marijuana