We will be happier on January 2, 2011. That's when restaurants in St. Louis City and St. Louis County will no longer be permitted to allow smoking. Yes, Missouri is in the minority of states that continue to allow smoking in eateries. In fact, we now live in one of only 11 states with no statewide smoking ban of any sort. Any enclosed public area in Missouri, including a workplace, may have a designated space for indoor smoking that takes up as much as 30% of the place's enclosed area.
The history of smoking in MO is fascinating and plays into a larger keep-the-government-out-of-it bent (see the comments from St. Louis County resident Joe Toenjes at a City Council meeting) that seems pervasive around here. (On issues beyond smoking as well: it's perfectly legal here to use a hand held cell phone while driving, and it's not against the law to text while driving though along the highways there are large, lighted signs asking us to "Please don't text and drive.")
Regardless, though, it's unpleasant, it alters the taste of the food, and it's tough on Amy's asthma. Most restaurants have smoking and non-smoking sections but we haven't found that smoke recognizes the boundaries. In general, it seems the older the restaurant, the more likely there will be smoking allowed somewhere inside. But the only places we can consistently rely on are the fast food chains. We've taken to peeking through windows to look for ashtrays.
We'll need to do a better job of researching up front before we leave for a planned dinner out; this does cut down on the spontaneity factor for us. So we are looking forward to the new year.
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