City Council hears from public on smoking ban

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Today and tomorrow are public comment days regarding Mayor White’s proposed smoking ban:

Houstonians can voice their opinions to city council Tuesday and Wednesday about a proposed smoking ban that has sparked a heated debate in the Bayou City.

Houston City Council members will spend the two days discussing the controversial ordinance, which would outlaw smoking in most Houston restaurants.

The proposal, if passed, would mean smokers could no longer smoke inside the dining area of a restaurant. Currently, smokers can light up in designated smoking areas.

I heard on a KTRH-740 newsbreak that Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs is planning on tagging the smoking ban because she wants a tougher one. That would be in line with what we heard previously about some councilmembers looking for a stricter ban.

I am guessing here, but since there was an anti-smoking demonstration downtown today, I would think Council heard plenty of support for the ban. Houston Communities for Safe Indoor Air is listed in news reports as the sponsor of today’s demonstration; a Google search doesn’t turn up a website for the group, but this site lists someone from MD Anderson as a contact.

UPDATE: A blurb on the front page of KTRK-13’s website says this:

Protesters take to the streets with their message about a proposed Houston smoking ban. But is it tough enough?

Is it tough enough? Gee, which side do you think KTRK is on? I will give KTRK credit though, because its story tells us that, “dozens of demonstrators gathered outside city hall.” Ooooo, dozens.

UPDATE (03-02-2005): A reader emails that Houston Communities for Safe Indoor Air does indeed have a website. Thanks for the information.


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Anne Linehan is a co-founder of blogHOUSTON.