The St Joseph City Council has again enacted changes to the voter-approved smoking ban.

The Clean Air Ordinance went into effect over the weekend. On Monday night the council voted to reduce the smoke-free buffer zone outside the entrance to local businesses.

The original ordinance required smokers to remain at least 15 feet from business entrances.

Under Monday’s council vote, that would be reduced to five feet.

This is the second time the council has changed the terms of the voter-approved ordinance. Faced with demands from St Jo Frontier Casino, the council earlier voted to exempt the casino’s gaming floor from the smoking ban.

That prompted a lawsuit against the city by a local bar owner, who claims the exemption is unconstitutional. A judge rejected Steve Peterman’s request for an injunction blocking enforcement of the ban, but the lawsuit will be heard later this month.