Sep 26, 2006 6:32 pm US/Central
Arlington Considering Tougher Smoking Ordinance
by Mark Johnson
ARLINGTON (CBS 11 News) ―
The city of Arlington may soon join other North Texas cities in banning smoking in
all restaurants.
The city's current ordinance allows restaurants to separate patrons in smoking and non-smoking areas, with appropriate ventilation systems.
Tuesday night city council members will get their first look at the proposal that would eliminate smoking in
all restaurants.
The current proposal does allow an exception for 'stand alone' bars, but Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck wants a
total smoking ban.
"I want something tough; because I'm more afraid of the health impacts of smoking, second hand smoke, than I am of the economic detriments, because I don't think there are any. I don't think people will not visit restaurants because of the smoking ban," Cluck said.
Restaurant owner Pete Moore claims an all out ban would hurt his bottom line. "It's tough on independent restaurants to compete and you take away 10, 15, 20, 30% of the business and there's not much left."
Moore says he would support a statewide ban, which he claims would even the playing field. His biggest concern is competitors in nearby cities not having to follow the same smoking rules.
The City of Dallas passed an aggressive smoking ban for restaurants and bars in 2002. Fort Worth council members are expected to vote on a ban, similar to the City of Dallas, by the end of the year.
Currently more than one dozen cities in Texas ban smoking in restaurants and bars.
(CBS 11 News)
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