Ballot Initiatives

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Dear Smoke-free Advocates,
 
     November 3rd is drawing near and there seems to be a bit of voter confusion surrounding the smoke-free ballot issues in Kirkwood and St. Louis County.  Due to the Tobacco-Free Missouri Greater St. Louis Coalition's 501(C)3 non-profit status, we cannot be as vocal on these issues as some of our advocates would like to be.  We can't suggest which way you should vote, but we can provide you with the facts so that you can be educated voters who weigh the pros and the cons before making your final decision.  The information below (click here) should clearly give you the pros and the cons of the Kirkwood smoke-free ordinance and Prop N, the smoke-free ordinance for St. Louis County.  Please take a few minutes to compare the two ordinances.  Keep in mind that municipalities within St. Louis County may pass ordinances stronger than the proposed Prop N in the future.  In the case of the City of Ballwin, which already has a stronger ordinance, that ordinance will prevail.  The same will be true in Kirkwood, if that ordinance passes on November 3rd.
 
For more information on the Kirkwood initiative, go to www.healthyairforkirkwood.com.
For more information on Prop N, contact Charley Gatton, Chair, County Citizens for Cleaner Air at  636-394-6045 cgatton@gmail.com.
 
 
We will continue to provide important information about ballot initiatives on our website at www.tobaccofreemo.org/w/ballot.

Be well,

Pat Lindsey
Executive Director
 
Diana Wilhold
Chairman
Tobacco-Free Missouri Greater St. Louis Coalition
Everyone deserves the right to breathe clean air.

Where Smoking Prohibited County Prop N Kirkwood Prop 1
Bars ** YES
Private Clubs ** **
Casino Gaming Areas NO n/a
Cigar Bars NO n/a
Retail Tobacco Stores NO if 60% tobacco sales NO if 80% tobacco sales
Airport smoking lounges allowed n/a
Outdoor Areas within 15 feet of the Entrance of a Public Place YES NO
Nursing Home Private and Semi Private Rooms NO YES
Art Galleries YES YES
Auditoriums YES YES
Billiard Halls YES YES
Bingo Halls YES YES
Bowling Alleys YES YES
Child & Adult Daycare Facilities YES YES
City/County Owned Buildings and Vehicles YES YES
Convention Facilities YES YES
Educational Facilities YES YES
Elevators in Public Buildings YES YES
Health Care Facilities YES YES
Hotel Rooms 80% of rooms 80% of rooms
Libraries YES YES
Meeting/Hearing Rooms Open to the Public YES YES
Museums YES YES
Other Enclosed Public Places & Workplaces Not Defined YES YES
Outdoor Dining Areas NO NO
Private Residences NO NO
Restaurants YES YES
Restrooms in Public Buildings YES YES
Shopping Malls YES YES
Sports Arenas YES YES
Taxi Cabs, Limos, Buses YES YES
Theaters YES YES
Vehicles of Public Transportation YES

YES

**Bar Exemption - ST. LOUIS COUNTY: Drinking establishments in operation on before the effective date of the law. Defined as any business licensed to sell liquor whose sales of food make up 25% or less of gross sales.

**Private Club Exemption – KIRKWOOD: Membership associations that were in existence as of March 1, 2009; provided, however, that smoking shall only be allowed in such associations wherein all duties related to the operation of such association, including, but not limited to, the preparation of food and beverages, the service of food and beverages, reception and secretarial work are performed by members of such association who are at least 18 years of age and who do not receive compensation of any kind for the performance of such duties

**Private Club Exemption - ST. LOUIS COUNTY: a non profit via the laws of Missouri for fraternal or social purposes or for a congressionally chartered veterans' org, which has a defined membership and restricts admission to members of the club and their guests. Doesn't include a place open to the public upon payment of a fee. Private club considered a public place when open to the public.

 

Additional Information on Ballot Measures:

 

Kirkwood's Prop. 1: The citizen's initiative, brought forward by Healthy Air for Kirkwood, is a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance supporting tobacco-free environments in all indoor public spaces. (www.KirkwoodCleanAirAct.com)

St. Louis County's Prop. N was placed on the ballot by the St. Louis County Council. When passed, it will make most of St. Louis County indoor public places smoke free. Exceptions are A, B, C - or airports, bars and casinos. This includes 15 feet from the entrances of public buildings. (www.SmokeFreeSTLcounty.org)

Prop E-911 is a request for 1/10 of a cent tax to fund emergency response communications in dire need of updating. This includes cell phone tracking for 911 calls, disaster sirens, and radio communications that will ensure police/fire and surrounding counties the ability to communicate in times of disasters. (www.propE911.org)

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, you will have the opportunity to cast your vote in support of the public health and safety of our communities. Natural disasters and acts of terrorism rarely occur, however, we must take precautions and be prepared. On the other hand, the health hazards of second-hand smoke are known and must be dealt with to protect the general public. Nicotine, lead, arsenic, and carbon monoxide are just a few of the 400 deadly chemicals in second-hand smoke.

Both Prop E-911 and Prop N were endorsed by the St. Louis [County] Municipal League.

 

*updated 10-22-2009 9:10am - changed St. Louis Municipal League to St. Louis County Municipal League

 

Comments

Prop N

by Interested Person - 11/04/2009 - 09:24

[moderated - vulgar content]

Put it out

by Interested Person - 11/04/2009 - 09:56

No thanks, non-smokers don't screw chimneys