Mo. county OKs smoking ban in most public places

ST. LOUIS (AP) - St. Louis County voters have overwhelmingly approved a measure banning smoking in most public places.

Proposition N passed with about two-thirds of the vote in light turnout on Tuesday, and the measure has broader implications: The ban also applies to the city of St. Louis because aldermen last month approved a similar measure that was contingent on passage of the county law.

The St. Louis County town of Kirkwood also passed a smoking ban that is more strict than the county measure, which provides exemptions for some bars, gambling floors and smoking lounges at Lambert Airport.

Both the St. Louis city and county bans take effect in 2011.