By Bill Raack, St. Louis Public Radio
Clayton, MO – The city of Clayton becomes the latest municipality with a smoking ban Thursday.
Clayton's city council approved the ban last year, saying that it would benefit public health and boost revenues at restaurants and shops in the St. Louis County town. Mayor Linda Goldstein says going smoke-free has worked in 18 other towns in Missouri.
"The majority of the public as we've seen through our interaction here in Clayton as well as, you know, a vote of the people, the majority of the people do want smoke-free laws, so it's exciting," Goldstein said.
Restaurant and bar owners opposed the ban. But Goldstein says that resistance has subsided.
Also on Thursday, Washington University becomes a smoke-free campus.
Under the Clayton ordinance, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed places with the following exceptions:
-Private residences
-Private clubs of non-profit organizations that do not allow the general public entry and do not allow "membership" upon payment of a nominal fee
-Private and semi-private rooms in nursing homes and long-term care facilities
-Retail establishments where more than 70 percent of sales comes from tobacco and tobacco-related products
-No more than 20 percent of Clayton hotel rooms
-Outdoor public dining areas
-Cigar bars in operation prior to the enactment of the ordinance