Senator proposes smoke-free workplace law (TX State)

KLBJ Morning Show ^ | 11/16/2006 | N/A

[Arrowhead1952]

Smoking in bars, restaurants and other public places in Texas would be banned under legislation offered by a lawmaker from Houston.

Senator Rodney Ellis today announced he'll file the proposed ``Texas Smoke-Free Workplace Law.''

His bill would ban smoking in all public places and work sites.

Ellis timed his announcement to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout.

Ellis says even though cities all over the state - including Houston, Austin, El Paso and Laredo - have strong ordinances, many Texans remain unprotected from second-hand smoke.

His office says 47 Texas cities have passed ordinances that contain smoke-free provisions.

Fourteen of those have comprehensive ordinances protecting employees and the public.

[Arrowhead1952]

Xena, do you have an idea of who has the Houston area ping list?

[Xenalyte]

I think Weegee does. Weej, am I correct?

[pikachu]

Boy, we need to buiy Nicroette gum stocks now!

[Just another Joe]

Coming soon to a state near YOU!

Face it folks, smokers are a percentage of the population that's it's OK to discriminate against.

It's going to come down to civil disobedience or just give up.
Mark my words.

[L98Fiero]

Democrats and the word "ban" go hand in hand.

[massgopguy]

There was a woman on with Hannity the other night talking about the dangers of "Second Hand Obesity". She said, fat people have fat children and they need to be re-educated.

[RSmithOpt]

I think it's a great idea. First, get rid of all the smoking illegal aliens and their families, give back all the money from the government orchestrated smoker / taxpayer / cigarette company extortion rip-off law suit, and then pass the law.

[Sarajevo]

Another idiotic politician attempting to regulate an individuals choice.

[Arrowhead1952]

There were several callers on both sides of this argument this morning, but one lady had the gall to insist that smokers brought this upon themselves with their littering.

I have been part of an "Adopt a Highway" cleanup crew, and I'll tell you one thing, there are more cans and fast food litter than cig butts.

This is just another nannystate proposition by a liberal from Houston.

[fnord]

I have an idea how to use all these anti-smoking Nazis: Put 'em at the border and gave them only allow in immigrants who are certifiably non-smoking. win-win

[Arrowhead1952]

First, get rid of all the smoking illegal aliens and their families

The illegals will have to go back to Mexico to smoke!!! Hey you may be on to something here.

[Arrowhead1952]

Do you know who has the SA & Austin ping lists?

[RSmithOpt]

So, is smoking going to be banned completely on 6th Street??

What will the striving musicians, bartenders, waitresses do of all those bars are smoke free?

Was in Austin back in '98 for a long weekend visiting a relative on my ex's. 6th Street was a unique experience one Saturday night. Better than anything I ever watched made up on TV. Wish I'd had a camcorder then.....wheeewwww with some of the stuff I saw! America's Weirdest Video?

[Arrowhead1952]

I think Senator Ellis shot himself in the foot with this idea. We will never see 6th Street smoke free. May not be tobacco, but the "mary jane" will be there.

[RSmithOpt]

Hey now....no discrimination. That would be UNDumbocratic. Smoke is smoke and tar is tar whether it be Mary's or Viceroy's.

[layman]

many Texans remain unprotected from second-hand smoke

Yes, but ALL Texans remain unprotected from overreaching nanny government.

[Arrowhead1952]

Not according to Senator Ellis. I bet he lost a lot of his support in the Houston area with this idea.

[BJClinton]

Trying to remember...

HOT ping list anyone?

[DrewsDad]

H.O.T. Ping