CS mayor: All businesses could go smoke-free next year | Bryan/College Station, Texas

Printer friendly version |

E-mail to a friend |

0 7 comment(s) |

Published Tuesday, November 18, 2008 6:05 AM

CS mayor: All businesses could go smoke-free next year

By JANET PHELPS
janet.phelps@theeagle.com

College Station Mayor Ben White said Monday that he expects an ordinance to ban smoking in bars and restaurants to be approved by council members by Jan 1.

White's statement came during a meeting of area local government and public officials in which several Bryan officials said they also would consider passing a similar ban.

Bryan Councilman Ben Hardeman, who attended the monthly intergovernmental committee meeting at the Brazos Valley Council of Governments, said he planned to ask city staff to look into the proposed ordinance.

"I think now's a good time to consider adopting a more stringent smoking ordinance," he said, adding that he expected the item to come before council members some time in the next few months.

A member of Smoke-Free College Station -- a coalition of doctors, health organizations, college students and other residents -- urged the group to pass a ban in both cities during a regularly-scheduled monthly meeting.

Kristine Weaver, the American Cancer Society's regional director of government relations, told the group Monday that many cities already have implemented similar non-smoking policies and that not doing so "seems behind the times."

Although the coalition has focused efforts so far in College Station, Weaver said, "we certainly would love to see this happen in Bryan as well."

Smoke-free College Station organizers have asked council members to pass a ban on smoking in all public and private businesses, as well as public outdoor areas to protect people from the effects of secondhand smoke.

There's no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke, Weaver said, citing a Surgeon General's statement from 2006.

Opponents say the change would hurt bars and other businesses where smoking is permitted. But research from many U.S. cities with such ordinances does not back that contention, according to coalition members, including the American Cancer Society, the St. Joseph Health System and Texas A&M's Rural Public Health Student Association.

Bryan Mayor Mark Conlee said he would like to hear from business owners and other residents before approving such a ban.

"If people want to take that [ordinance] farther, we'll look at it," he said.

Bryan Councilman Jason Bienski said the issue probably will be discussed during an upcoming workshop meeting.

"At this point, we've just briefly, in speaking, talked with some of our city staffers who looked into the issue to see the pros and cons," he said. "At this point I'm kind of neutral on what I would do until I can look into the pros and cons of the issue."

Notice about comments:
TheEagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. TheEagle.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.

Full terms and conditions can be read here.

Comments

(Requires free registration.)

7 comment(s) found!

Posted by: Loser Police On: 11/19/2008

Comment Title:
Let's make it DECEMBER 1st!

Posted by: Jay-Bryan On: 11/19/2008

Comment Title:
With the Hooters and new bar-restaurants coming on line next year, we do not need to push the issue in Bryan. It is a Business decision not a Government decision. Let make the money CS turns down and bring more CS-residents into Bryan.

Posted by: Kevin Harris Bryan On: 11/19/2008

Comment Title: CS-Nuts
The CS RR/Bar i go to has a no smoking area it about-10% of the RR/BAR. Nobody is every in it. If a business made more money not having smoking they would have done this already. Business are in business to make money. What is next, my Guns, my shoes, and a ban on Motorcycles all for safety reasons.

Posted by: On: 11/19/2008

Comment Title: Sick & Tired of Big Brother
I don't like smoke either, but- why does city government have to control EVERYONE. Why can't there be smoking or non-smoking businesses? Place a label on the exterior in plain view. If a private business owner wishes to allow smoking, it's their business. If you don't like the smoke, DON'T GO IN! I say file suit to the businesses that wish to allow smoking. This is still Amerika, no? What about the tobacco stores with smoking areas? Just because some don't like it, doesn't give them the right to control everyone!

Posted by: A fresh breath of air. On: 11/18/2008

Comment Title: Clean air for College Station. YEAH!!
Hey guys, I'm all for freedom and personal rights, protecting yourself and your family. Maybe smokers don't realize the way second hand smoke effects non-smokers. I can be standing next to a heavy smoker and the smell from their clothing will make my eyes water and nose run. I don't like for my children or me to be around second hand smoke. I don't think I should have to hold my breathe to run through a group of smokers to enter into the mall or a building. I think most smokers wish they would never have started. I think this "no smoking ordinance" will help younger people not to pick up the habit. The less people smoke the more healthy society will be. I don't think anyone can argue that. It will save lives. It sure won't hurt.

Posted by: On: 11/18/2008

Comment Title:
I'm curious whether banning smoking in a private club would be legal. At one time Brazos County was a dry county, but there was a restaurant named Clayton's that you could dine and drink hard liquor. You did have to bring your own bottle and leave it at the business. You also had to be a member.

Posted by: not a smoker On: 11/18/2008

Comment Title: just what we need
More BIG BROTHER at your service. Regulating public business or areas is one thing but private- that's another. How about giving the PEOPLE some CHOICE here?