Got this letter published last week:

The Post-Dispatch article "Smoking ban exemptions will burn out" (July 20) fails to mention that the St. Louis City Smoke-Free Air Act of 2009 allows casinos, even casinos not yet in existence, to have smoking on their gaming floors for years to come. The ban's five-year sunset clause applies only to small bars. The smoking exemption for city casinos continues until smoking is prohibited by law in both St. Louis County and St. Charles County casinos. That may not happen any time soon, if ever.

In the meantime, why should casinos enjoy this competitive advantage over small bars? In fairness, the smoking ban exemption for St. Louis city small bars should be extended until smoking is also banned in St. Louis city casinos.

Bill Hannegan  •  St. Louis

http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/mailbag/smoking-ban-gives-city-s-casinos-an-advantage-over-small/article_157fcf39-b8a9-54a2-869b-430b60cbf8bc.html