Statewide Smoking Ban in Missouri? Maria Chappelle-Nadal Proposes Broad Restrictions

Feb 26, 2013 at 8:00 am

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"It's a cultural difference," Chappelle-Nadal says. "In the urban areas, there's more of a movement towards having a statewide [smoking] ban, whereas in other areas, there's not."

At the St. Louis County Council, officials have proposed limiting the businesses that are exempt from the ban -- such that more bars and casinos would have to prohibit smoking. That bill has sparked a lot of protest from business owners that say smoking bans would directly hurt their revenues.

The Brew House, a Maryland Heights establishment that strongly opposes any bans on smoking. - Courtesy of Carol Fallert
Courtesy of Carol Fallert
The Brew House, a Maryland Heights establishment that strongly opposes any bans on smoking.

And that backlash offers a taste of the criticisms Chappelle-Nadal's bill will get -- if it ever receives a serious debate this session.

"It's stuck in committee," she says. "It always will be stuck in committee, because nobody even cares."

Here's the full bill.

Senate Bill 201

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