ST. LOUIS (AP) – The St. Louis city health director is taking heat from a doctor who tracks smoking laws over a decision to allow smoking at a large health and social club.

An exception to the city’s indoor smoking ban allows for smoking inside the Missouri Athletic Club. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Dr. Michael Siegel of Boston University’s School of Public Health says St. Louis is the only city in the country to allow an exception for one business.

City health director Pam Walker made the decision to grant the exemption for the MAC.

© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.