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One of the most contentious ordinances ever to be proposed by city council was passed today in a 7-4 vote. Texas Public Radio’s Eileen Pace reports on the expanded smoking ban.
August 19, 2010 · Dozens came out to City Hall to speak on both sides of the issue. Small business owners contend they will but hurt or even put out of business by the new ordinance, which outlaws smoking in restaurants, bars, and billiard halls.
Wanda Jones said her pool hall business has already dropped off, and she’s worried what will happen with this ordinance.
“If you have a restaurant or a bar, they can add a patio. People can go sit on the patio and eat or sit on the patio and drink. If you have a pool hall, they can’t go sit on the patio and play pool. They’re either going to be playing pool – or not,” Jones said.
Bar patrons, like Joan Pedrotti, said they were against the ban for more basic reasons.
“Although I think everybody has the right to be in a smoke-free environment – I have a child and I don’t want him to be around cigarette smoke – but it’s another right they’re taking away. And that, I think, is what should worry us,” Pedrotti said.
But Pedrotti also said if she couldn’t smoke where she drinks, she might choose another place to drink.
The ordinance won’t take effect for a year, giving businesses time to build a patio on which people will be allowed to smoke.
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