Jun 1, 2007 5:29 pm US/Central
Strict Smoking Bans In Effect In Plano & Southlake
by Tiani Jones
PLANO (CBS 11 News) ―
Cigarette smoke is being snuffed out in the cities of Plano and Southlake, as strict smoking bans went into effect Friday.
The bans in both cities could be some of the toughest in North Texas.
In most cities that have smoking bans, smokers are forced outdoors to patio areas, but in Plano if you're within 25 feet of a business entrance smoking is illegal.
In Southlake the ban extends to parks, playgrounds and bleachers and other areas where crowds of people are gathered.
The City of Southlake now bans smoking in all public buildings, which includes retail businesses, offices, restaurants, bars and taverns, outdoor dining areas and within 12 feet of the entrances and exits to public buildings, the council also banned smoking in all hotel rooms in the city.
After June 1 private residences, certain public rights of way and certain designated areas in city parks will be about the only places residents may light up legally.
The main agreement between local restaurant and bar owners is that smoking customers will take their business to surrounding cities where smoking is permitted.
Any person violating the ordinance is subject to a fine of up to $500; businesses owners or operators violating the ordinance are subject to a fine up to $2,000.
In both cities, the previous smoking ordinance allowed smoking in enclosed public establishments as long as a filtration system was installed to pump the air out of the building.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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