Mo. measure would ban smoking in public places

Publication Date: 2009-01-22

• Author:BILL DRAPER
• Publication:Forbes, NY

A Missouri lawmaker has filed a joint House-Senate resolution that would let voters decide whether to add to the state constitution a ban on smoking in public places.

Rep. Joe Fallert, a Ste. Genevieve Democrat, says he's not sure the measure he introduced last week will gain much traction this session, but he thinks it's an issue important enough to put before voters.

"It's just kind of a blanket no-smoking resolution," Fallert said, noting there are no exemptions in the initial wording for places like bars or casinos. "I know that if it gets anywhere there's room for compromise."

The only other time a statewide smoking ban has been proposed in the Legislature was last year, when a bill by Sen. Joan Bray, a St. Louis Democrat, received little support and never got a hearing.