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Mo. House Democrats Ban Smoking In Members' Capitol Offices

Flickr Creative Commons user SuperFantastic

Missouri House Democrats can no longer smoke in their own offices at the Capitol.

The decision was not made by the entire caucus, but by the seven Democrats who make up the caucus’ leadership, including Minority Floor Leader Jake Hummel(D, St. Louis).

“We just felt like that it was time for us to lead by example," Hummel said.  "All the other state buildings ban smoking, and we can’t advocate for good health policies if we ourselves aren’t following the same guidelines.”

Hummel says he hasn’t heard any dissent from fellow House Democrats who do smoke.  He also says they hope to persuade the Republican majority to ban smoking in their offices as well.  On the Senate side of the Missouri Capitol, smoking is allowed in the offices of each Senate member but banned elsewhere.

Follow Marshall Griffin on Twitter:  @MarshallGReport

Marshal was a political reporter for St. Louis Public Radio until 2018.