Statewide Smoking Ban Possible
By: Brooke Thomas
Updated: March 10, 2011
A smoke free Texas is now a possibility.
Lubbock passed a limited smoking ban a few years back.
But, now some lawmakers want to take it even further.
A local ordinance passed in 2001, banning smoking in all public areas in Lubbock, unless its a bar or sports grill.
If a new bill by Senator Rodney Ellis passes, local bars would no longer be exempt from the rule.
The bill would ban smoking in all bars, restaurants and other indoor public places in the state.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved the bill, Tuesday, by a vote of 5-3.
It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
Lubbock passed a limited smoking ban a few years back.
But, now some lawmakers want to take it even further.
A local ordinance passed in 2001, banning smoking in all public areas in Lubbock, unless its a bar or sports grill.
If a new bill by Senator Rodney Ellis passes, local bars would no longer be exempt from the rule.
The bill would ban smoking in all bars, restaurants and other indoor public places in the state.
The Senate Health and Human Services Committee approved the bill, Tuesday, by a vote of 5-3.
It now heads to the full Senate for consideration.
