Smoking Bans and Casino Exemptions Discussed in St. Louis

The subject of ending casinos' exemptions from smoking bans in the St. Louis region drew the most conversation during a Tuesday meeting in Clayton.

While representatives from four counties and St. Louis City were expected, only representatives from St. Louis and St. Charles were present for the 20-minute discussion. St. Louis County District 6 Councilman Steve Stenger participated in the meeting along with St. Charles District 1 Councilman Joe Cronin, St. Charles District 2 Councilman Joe Brazil and St. Charles District 7 Councilman John White.

At the end of the conversation, participants agreed to stay in touch as the St. Charles County Council prepares to vote on in August 2012. They also appeared in agreement that it would be valuable to reach out to other local governments for input on the casino issue.

"It's a positive step to have people talking about removing exemptions," particularly those for bars, said Stacy Reliford, field government relations director for the American Cancer Society in St. Louis.

Jim Seago, a board member for Tobacco-Free St. Louis, said he's not disappointed that officials from St. Louis City, Franklin County and Jefferson County didn't attend as anticipated.

"I think it's really positive," Seago said of the meeting. The way he sees it, the meeting represents the start of an effort to remove smoking exemptions for casinos. That would level the economic playing field for Missouri casinos in view of the fact that Illinois casinos prohibit smoking, he said.

Seago said that claims of Illinois casinos losing business to Missouri ones that allow smoking are inaccurate. Lumiere Place Casino in St. Louis has drawn visitors because of its marketing efforts and entertainment offerings, he said, leaving the Argosy Casino in Illinois outdated by comparison.

Ultimately, the issue at hand isn't money at all, Seago said.

"It's about protecting health," he said.

Joe Brazil stood outside of the St. Louis County Council chambers before the start of Tuesday's meeting. The chairman of the St. Charles County Council said that while he opposes a smoking ban across the board, his county and others surrounding it need to "have a more consistent metropolitan smoking ban."

He said it's probably not a bad idea that these counties get together on other issues, though he can't recall a gathering such as this one happening about other topics.

"It's a hopeful approach," Brazil said.