Texarkana
Smoking Ban One Year Later
Texas-side prohibition no longer
burning issue
Texarkana Gazette
It has been a quiet year for the
smoking ordinance that heated up the Texarkana, Texas, City Council
for several months last year.
The ordinance, which banned smoking in
public buildings, most notably in restaurants, went into effect Feb.
19, 2005. Denton Jones, Texarkana, Texas, building official, said it
has been a fairly uneventful year.
“It seems to be going pretty well,”
he said of the ordinance.
Jones’ department enforces the
ordinance. He said for the most part they are finished with building a
database of businesses.
Jones said it took a while for some
businesses to implement the ordinance, but they are complying.
“The fire department has made it part
of their inspections, so we know if the signs are posted and whether
or not they’re complying,” he said.
Jones also said they haven’t had to
issue any citations for violation of the ordinance. Other city
officials agree the transition has been quiet. Any comment they have
heard has been positive.
“I haven’t heard anything negative
about it,” said Mayor James Bramlett, including the anticipated
massive dent in revenues some claimed it would cause at restaurants.
“From what I’ve seen, you still
have to wait in line 20 to 30 minutes to get in and eat,” said
Bramlett of his own experiences while eating at local restaurants.
From the contact he has had with some
restaurants, he’s learned they have been able to actually
accommodate more people by converting the smoking areas to nonsmoking.
“They’ve been able to make more
efficient use of the entire facility,” he said. “I consider it to
be very successful.”
Ward 5 Council Member Van Alexander
said he was surprised at the lack of noise.
“I expected some business owners to
say, ‘I have lost bar business or smokers’ business.’ But I have
heard none of that,” he said.
Alexander said he has asked restaurant
employees their take on smoke-free dining.
“They seem to enjoy it. I think it
was a positive move for us,” he said.
Ward 1 Council Member Derrick McGary
was one of the main proponents of the smoking ban. He says he’s
heard little feedback and what he has heard was not negative.
“Well, usually it seems silence is
golden,” he said. “That leads me to believe it’s working very
well.”
McGary said he intends on asking the
city manager to do a survey or evaluation to gauge what kind of effect
the ordinance has had. He said this request could come as soon as the
next council meeting.
McGary said he believes the ordinance
has not had a huge negative effect on business.
“I think a lot of people have
benefited from it and a lot more people are going out more,” he
said. “Texarkana as a whole has not lost any business.”
When the issue first came up, McGary
suggested a complete ban, with no exceptions.
Although the ordinance as written does
allow for exceptions, McGary said the rules it contains are good.
“I think that it’s working well as
written right now,” he said.
The council admits it may have a look
at revisions someday, but not anytime soon.
“I think we need to leave it be.
I’m glad it’s working the way it is,” Alexander said.
While there has been quiet talk of
getting the ban repealed, Bramlett said it won’t happen if the
council has anything to do with it.
“This council stands behind this
ordinance 100 percent. I believe the community stands behind it as
well,” he said.
By
JODI SHERIDAN
http://www.texarkanagazette.com/articles/2006/02/05/local_news/news/news01.txt
|
