City Smoking Ordinance Different For Children & Adults
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CLEBURNE (CBSDFW.COM) - A new smoking rule passed in Cleburne could keep children and teens out of some businesses. Simply put – if underage kids aren't with parents, they don't get in.
On a Tuesday night smokers enjoyed drinks by the bar at the Caddo Street Grill. The bar's separate ventilation system and designated area for smoking served as a model for the unanimously approved Cleburne smoking ordinance.
Scott Dudley is the owner of Caddo Street Grill. "So many cities have outright banned smoking and we have a lot of customers that enjoy coming and having a cigarette while they're having their meal," he said. "I think as long as it doesn't bother patrons that are non-smokers then why not?"
North Richland Hills has banned smoking in places like restaurants. Irving just banned smoking in public places. While the trend has been for cities to adopt smoking bans, Cleburne approved a smoking ordinance that gives business owners the right to choose.
Cleburne Mayor Scott Cain said, "Whatever decision they make -- we put the full force of the city behind. It's allowing businesses to be first."
Businesses can now choose to be non-smoking, smoking, or have smoking designated areas.
Mayor Cain said customers also have the choice a sto where they spend their money.
Resident Shirley Johnson was hoping the measure was stricter. "I would have liked the city to be non-smoking -- an outright ban."
Longtime business owner Jose Alonso, who owns the La Fiesta Restaurant, says he used to have a designated smoking area inside his restaurant. "Now I feel like we have more people because of non-smoking," he said.
The ordinance originally called for smoking facilities not to allow minors. Steve Talavera is the general manager at Flamingo Bingo, which allows smoking. He worried the ordinance it would split families.
"It's one of the ways to take them away from cellphones. They can come to play bingo with grandma and grandpa."
The ordinance was modified and minors will be allowed in a smoking venue, when accompanied by a parent or guardian 21-years-old or older.
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