Smoking ban on the table this week

04:42 PM CST on Tuesday, February 15, 2005

By Doug Miller / 11 News

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HOUSTON -- City leaders will soon begin debating a burning question: Should smoking be banned in the dining areas of Houston restaurants?

KHOU

Supporters say it's about time, while opponents believe the government should butt out.

The public got a chance to speak out on the issue during a City Council hearing Tuesday.

By noon, only one person had spoken out against the ban.

Several doctors and representatives from the American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association were on hand to ask City Council to put more teeth in the proposal with a full ban.

Even some smokers told 11 News they wouldn't mind if the ban becomes law.

"It doesn't bother me. I am a smoker, but it doesn't bother me," said Judy McKissick.

Other smokers disagree.

"So, like, if you go to a Mexican restaurant and you're just eating your chips and salsa and drinking your margarita, you couldn't smoke at your table? That kind of stinks," said Pam Hess.

At bars, smoking would still be legal -- including bars inside Houston restaurants.

"You've come a long way baby!"

Smoking in America has come a long way since cigarette commercials dominated television.

"This filter cigarette really tastes like a cigarette."

And since comedy stars sold tobacco in the nation's living rooms.

But some anti-tobacco activists argue Houston's proposal to snuff smoking in dining areas doesn't go far enough.

"We are proposing an ordinance that would provide that all public places be smoke-free, that workplaces, because the hospitality workers, they have to work in these environments and a lot of them do not have many options," said Elaine Jefferson with the American Cancer Society.

Of course, a lot of restaurants sell food at the bar. So smokers could still light up while they eat, provided they do it here instead of at the dining table.

But for now, the question for Houston restaurants, is whether the hostess will still ask the old question: "Two for smoking or non?"

The full council is expected to take up the issue later this month.