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Statewide smoking ban filed 
A statewide smoking ban, which has been introduced as legislature in the House, would make smoking in public establishments a thing of the past.
photo by Philip Jankowski |
By Philip Jankowski The cigarette haze commonly associated with barrooms could become a thing of the past after legislation was filed Wednesday to create a statewide smoking ban. So far, Taylor has remained immune to any local pressure to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. The bill, filed by Rep. Myra Crownover (R-Denton), would ban smoking comprehensively, leaving no bingo parlors or billiards halls exempted. A Senate counterpart is expected to be filed any day. Texas would become the 25th state to ban smoking in clubs and bars. Twelve states currently have legislation in the works for statewide bans. “We’re not telling anybody they can or cannot smoke. This is purely about employees choosing between their health and a pay check,” said Crownover’s spokesman Kevin Cruser. Ed’s Place bartender Janette Fuessel is a non-smoker, but disagreed. “I hate to see the government get involved because it is a civil rights issue,” Fuessel said. “I feel like our legislature has a lot more things to take care of first.” Ed’s Place allows smoking inside. Many larger cities in Texas already have smoking bans in place. It is illegal to smoke in public establishments with exception in Austin, and Dallas recently expanded its smoking ban last month. While those large cities are encouraging smoking bans, as long as someone can drive a few miles up the road to a different town, smoking in public establishments will continue to thrive, Cruser said, since the existing bans are on a municipal level only. “In Dallas, there’s a new town every two miles. Those are the businesses that suffer, because you can literally drive down the road and find a place that will let you smoke. This bill levels the playing field for everybody,” he said. Ed’s Place owner Dave Mucha said he does not get too many complaints about the smoking allowed in his place. And when he does, it is usually smoke from the burgers grilling in the kitchen. “(A smoking ban) would hurt a little bit,” Mucha said. “Some come in here and chain smoke. It wouldn’t bother me personally.” Studies have identified second-hand smoke as a danger for a multitude of diseases. Cruser estimated that a smoking ban would save 2,000 lives in its first year. According to the National Cancer Institute, secondhand smoke plays a part in the death of 53,000 Americans a year. Fuessel said she would rather have local government make the decision on a smoking ban. But Cruser said a statewide ban is needed because one quarter of Texas is unincorporated land not subject to any municipal demand.
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