Texas Lawmaker Pushes for Statewide Ban on Smoking

One state senator has filed a bill that would ban smoking in all indoor and outdoor workplaces.

28 states and many cities in Texas already have similar bans in effect.

This ban---if it passes---would affect bars and restaurants across the state. At Caprock Cafe, they started as a smoking establishment, but found that the majority of their customers were non-smokers. They made the switch and saw a huge profit increase.

"I will never, ever open up another bar or restaurant that allows smoking," said David Cea,  co-Owner of Caprock Caf and Orlando's Italian Restaurants.

He says making the switch to smoke-free grew his business tremendously.

"What we found out was less than 5% of the people coming into that store were smokers. So we were catering to 5% of our customers and running off 95% of our customers, it just didn't make sense," said Cea. 

Cea decided to go smoke-free on his own, but many bars and restaurants across Texas may not have a choice. State Senator Rodney Ellis has proposed a bill to ban smoking in all workplaces in Texas

"Many many restaurants now have made that decision to go totally nonsmoking, just because it makes more sense," said President of the Lubbock Restaurant Association David Deason.

Deason says changing business models, not city or state ordinances have forced the change in Lubbock.

"I still just don't think we have to have an ordinance telling us how to run a business because as business owners we are going to make the best decisions for our customers," said Deason.

He thinks it should be up to each business owner to decide for themselves.

"You know there are still a lot of smokers out there and they like to go to establishments like everybody else so I think there will be opportunities for them but I do think it will hurt the smaller bar," he said. 

The state senate will reconvene tomorrow at noon.

Keep checking everythinglubbock.com for details.