Proposed smoking ban resurfaces in FW
By MIKE LEE
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
FORT WORTH — A proposed smoking ban is back on the table.
Smoking would be banned in public places — including restaurants, most bars and entrances to public buildings — throughout Fort Worth under a proposal the City Council is set to consider in August.
A council-appointed committee had recommended the ban, with exceptions for restaurants and bars with outdoor patios, private clubs and sexually oriented businesses. But the process was suspended while the Legislature took up a bill that would have banned smoking in public places statewide.
The state bill failed, and the Fort Worth council could vote on the local ordinance as soon as Aug. 21.
“What I want is at least any area where I could take my children or grandchildren,” said Councilman Chuck Silcox, who asked for the ban after receiving complaints from residents.
The Texas Restaurant Association is bracing for a wave of smoking bans now that the state effort has failed.
“The only thing we can do now is make sure that what passes is the least damaging to our businesses as possible,” said Glen Garey, general counsel for the restaurant association. “I would anticipate a very busy summer.”
The association has acknowledged that smoking bans are popular, and it had pushed for the statewide bill because the bill would have created a level playing field among restaurants in different cities, Garey said.
The association is concerned that local ordinances treat bars and restaurants equally, Garey said. Many restaurants make a lot of their profits off alcohol sales, and they could lose patrons if the ban doesn’t include bars, he said.
The council is expected to hold a workshop on the issue July 17.
Mike Lee, 817-390-7539
mikelee@star-telegram.com
June 28th, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Santa Fe created a strict no smoking legislation and soon the State of NM followed.
Here’s a short version of what happened. A few years ago a lighter version of a no smoking ordinance took months of debate to pass. Last spring a revised stricter version was proposed an no one in the opposition showed up! It passed in less than 15 minutes!
Is business down? No. Are people enjoying a healthier work environment yes! Are expenses for cleaning up the smoky everything saving dollars yes!
The only drawback I find is my really addicted smoker friends don’t want to sit as long after dinner to chat. They have to run outside to puff puff puff!
Good luck on deciding…Mary
October 17th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
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December 8th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
I support smoking bans!
March 21st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
If a smoking ban can pass in NYC, it should pass in Texas and the entire us.
gw
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