Senate bill bans smoking in Texas bars and restaurants

[Cannonball996]

From WFAA online

AUSTIN (AP) — A Senate panel has approved banning smoking in public places in Texas, including bars and restaurants.
Supporters of the measure have been trying to pass a smoking ban for several sessions and it passed the Senate Human Services Committee on Tuesday by a 5-3 vote.
The bill by Sen. Rodney Ellis, a Houston Democrat, now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
Supporters say restaurant and bars workers are exposed to second-hand smoke that causes lung cancer, heart disease and other chronic ailments.
Opponents say the bill violates the private property rights of business owners.
The bill exempts cigar bars and tobacco shops from the ban.

[fordracing19]

Works for me.

[BradM]

That's bullshit and should be left up to the owner of the business.

<=== non-smoker but bar owner

[The King]

I am about as concerned about a smoking ban as I am about taxing tobacco and alcohol.....nada

Banning smoking in bars seems to be real overkill however.

[jw33]

In turn they should tax the living shit out of a pack of smokes even more. A lot of dummies out there willing to folk over the dough that could be wasted by the government.

[jakesford]

Go for it, I hate smelling like an ashtray after going to the bar. One reason I like Austin...

[Vertnut]

Go for it, I hate smelling like an ashtray after going to the bar. One reason I like Austin...

The reefer smell washes out easier! LOL!

[cad424]

Go for it, I hate smelling like an ashtray after going to the bar. One reason I like Austin...

I do, too and that's why I go to smoke-free establishments. I have a bigger problem with this nanny state bullshit than I do people smoking in bars.

[ceyko]

I'm a non-smoker at the moment. Regardless of what I feel, it should be the owner's choice one way or another. This is bullshit in my opinion. Might as well dictate what specific beers, liquors and food can be served too.

I have a choice whether I'm a smoker or not and the owners should also have a choice. Things will shake out and everything will be just fine.

It's not like we don't have bigger fucking problems in this country.

[stevo]

That's bullshit and should be left up to the owner of the business.

I agree. And this is coming from a life-long non-smoker.

Stevo

[talisman]

I'm pretty divided on this. As a non-smoker I am VERY happy I won't smell like a fucking ashtray every time I go into a bar. But the common sense side of me says this is idiotic, and they have no business passing that type of legislation. I'd be interested to see what the Supreme Court would say about it.

[ceyko]

I'm pretty divided on this. As a non-smoker I am VERY happy I won't smell like a fucking ashtray every time I go into a bar. But the common sense side of me says this is idiotic, and they have no business passing that type of legislation. I'd be interested to see what the Supreme Court would say about it.

I see what you're saying about it, but we can't pick and choose (although we do) specific things we want banned and not banned. Especially as a person who quit smoking I'm more inclined to hit non-smoking bars. No temptations, and then all the things standard non-smokers enjoy. However, it really is not fair to the owners.

I like the government effort to make people paranoid and aware of the problems with smoking. I don't believe banning it everywhere is the right way to stop its usage. May as well stop alcohol consumption in bars. A bit extreme I know, but I feel rules like this are extreme. Plus drunkards can be dangerous to those around them and you'll smell like alcohol the next morning when the spill their drink on you. Second hand alcohol.

I know, dumb comparison but just trying to stay light hearted about something I feel is fairly serious.

[Sean88gt]

Texas needs to change the slogan from "we're open for business" to "we're trying to californicate Texas."

[Slowhand]

It's an absolute travesty that you can't smoke while you drink, but don't let that damned devil's weed in our state!

[jw33]

I see what you're saying about it, but we can't pick and choose (although we do) specific things we want banned and not banned. Especially as a person who quit smoking I'm more inclined to hit non-smoking bars. No temptations, and then all the things standard non-smokers enjoy. However, it really is not fair to the owners.

I like the government effort to make people paranoid and aware of the problems with smoking. I don't believe banning it everywhere is the right way to stop its usage. May as well stop alcohol consumption in bars. A bit extreme I know, but I feel rules like this are extreme. Plus drunkards can be dangerous to those around them and you'll smell like alcohol the next morning when the spill their drink on you. Second hand alcohol.

I know, dumb comparison but just trying to stay light hearted about something I feel is fairly serious.

I more agree with this line of thinking.