In many Texas cities, the city councils have imposed a smoking ban in all city businesses. Amarillo has taken a different path. The city commission decided that it should be up to the city's voters, and not just a couple of councilmen. So today, the citizens of Amarillo voted on whether they wanted to ban smoking or not.
For the second time in three years, they have voted against a smoking ordinance. It was a close vote, just as it was three years ago. The proposed ordinance was defeated by only 238 votes. Here are the vote totals:
Yes -- 8,163
No -- 8,401
The pro-ordinance faction spent quite a bit more on advertising that those opposed to the ordinance. They even ran quite a few television ads. But it looks like a majority of voters decided this was not a safety issue, but instead an issue of freedom. They decided this is something that each businessman must decide for himself.
Frankly, I don't think the ordinance is needed. Smoking is already banned in many buildings and restaurants, and is limited to a smoking section in others.
I'm sure the pro-ordinance people will bring this up again in a couple of years. This self-righteous group seems intent on forcing new rules on local businesses -- just another example of the encroaching "nanny state".
But for now, Amarillo voters have said NO.
Glad itr failed, but it's only a matter of time before these control-freaks bring it up again.
ReplyDeleteWill the people who opposed the ordiance pay the health care costs of people forced to work where smoking is allowed?
ReplyDeleteNo one is "forced" to work anywhere in this city.
ReplyDeleteI have heard some waitresses complaining about having to work the non-smoking section, because the tips weren't near as good there.
ReplyDeleteThere are plenty of non-smoking restaurants for waitresses to work in if they choose to do so. Last time I checked, no one in Amarillo is forced to work anywhere.
ReplyDeleteThey have the ban state-wide for Arkansas. Entertainment business owners were real angry about the hit their businesses took.
ReplyDeleteI was talking to one restaurant owner who told me the law was so strict that she could be fined if anyone even had a pack of cigarettes in plain sight at her business.
I'm a terrible nicotine addict, so I'm a bit biased, but fining business owners because someone put their pack of smokes on a table is pretty ridiculous.
Menopausal Mick