Gone Are the Days When Bars & Restaurants Simply Stopped Allowing Smoking...

By Kristen Hinman Mon., Jun. 15 2009 at 3:30 PM

Categories: Smoking Bans

...in light of all the hullabaloo surrounding potential smoking bans, going smoke-free is now apparently an act worthy of a press release.

To wit: The Fox & Hounds, at the Cheshire Lodge, is now prohibiting smoking, per a statement sent to RFT today.

"This isn't about the rules or financial impact, it's about a quality of life for my family, staff, hotel and bar guests as well as anyone who chooses to use or be in this lodge," says owner Dan Apted, in the release. "I have gone through effects of 9/11 to the Highway 40 closures and of course the depression and recession, and no amount of money saved is worth it if I'm not concerned about improving the lives of those around me, and those we serve."

Considering that the bar used to be home to one of St. Louis' most prominent and beloved smokers of menthols - former bartender Mark Pollman - this announcement seems blog-worthy.

But there are a couple loopholes.

According to the press release, smokers are still welcome outside, directly in front of the Cock and Bear Room, and in the Cheshire Garden.

The Fox & Hounds hunkers down in the northeast corner of Richmond Heights, just beyond the reach of Clayton and St. Louis, whose elected officials are both considering passage of indoor smoking bans that would extend to all bars and restaurants.