Push is on for stronger anti-smoking plan

05:57 PM CST on Tuesday, February 22, 2005

By Doug Miller / 11 News

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Anti-smoking activists are showing their strength at Houston's City Hall. They're pushing political leaders to ban smoking at all of the city's bars and restaurants.

KHOU-TV

Ouisie's Table is known for good food and a non-smoking dining room.

Some City Hall insiders say councilmembers are beginning to push for a tougher ordinance against public smoking.

Firing up in the kitchen, on the stove, is OK.

But in the dining room and at the tables, it's forbidden.

"'Cuz it's a much nicer dining experience," says Eloise Adams Jones, owner of Ouisie's Table.

Diners at Ouisie's Table know it's a non-smoking restaurant.

"I've had very few complaints about it," says Jones. "And those that complain, they went outside and had their smoke and came back in."

Even at the bar, you'll find booze, but no ashtrays. And if anti-smoking activists have their way, diners will find the same policy at every restaurant in the city.

Down at Houston's City Hall, the mayor wants to ban smoking in the dining areas of Houston restaurants. But some councilmembers are lobbying for even tighter restrictions on smoking.

"To try to make Houston a smoke free city," says former councilmember Felix Frag, who lobbying for a stronger anti-smoking policy Tuesday.

And smoking opponents have been crowding council chambers.

"Prefereably, on my own, it'd probably be a total ban, which they've done in so many other places," says Quan. When asked if he'd favor a ban on smoking in all bars and restaurants? Quan said, "Yes."

But around the dinner tables, opinions vary.

"I don't go to bars because I don't like the cigarette smoke. So they're not getting my money. So I think it's a good idea," says diner Elizabeth Crunk.

"At a restaurant, yes, I'm all for that. But the bars? No," says Robin Crunk.

Soon, the kitchen may be the only place where lighting up is legal in Houston restaurants.