A judge has rejected a request to delay a smoking ban in St. Joseph while a civil lawsuit opposing the ban is considered in court.
Circuit Judge Randall Jackson on Wednesday ruled that opponents of the ban had not shown that a preliminary injunction was necessary. The smoking ban will begin June 7. Jackson did not give any more explanation for his ruling.
Bar owner Stephen Peterman contends in his lawsuit that the smoking ban in unconstitutional because it exempts the St. Jo Frontier Casino gambling floor. He also says the city did not follow state law when it imposed the ban.
The St. Joseph News-Press reports that the city has argued that there are many examples of special exemptions in similar bans.