What Regulations Do You Want on Tobacco Smoking?
What Regulations Do You Want on Tobacco Smoking
?
Missouri City inhabitants will get their first chance to comment on details of a new city smoking legislation on June 21 during a public hearing before the City Council.
A final proposal has not yet been drafted, City Attorney Caroline Kelley said at Monday's council meeting. Judging by the discussion among council members, however, the details of where and when smoking discount cigarettes would be restricted in Missouri City are still to be determined.
Mayor Allen Owen called for a "common sense" smoking ordinance, but not necessarily exactly like the ordinances of other nearby cities. "I think most of our citizens don't want smoking in places where they sit and eat," he added.
For example, in May, more than 82 percent of Missouri City voters approved a resolution calling on the council to pass a smoking ordinance.
The resolution stated: "Shall the City Council of the City of Missouri City adopt an ordinance regulating smoking in public places within the City of Missouri City?"
At the time, council members said they wanted an ordinance in step with what other area cities already have approved, to avoid confusion and unfair business competition.
But Monday, Councilman Jerry Wyatt said he didn't want anything "weird" in the ordinance, such as a total ban on smoking at city parks.
Kelley noted that Sugar Land already bans smoking Camel cigs and other brands in its city parks, and said she had included that prohibition in a preliminary draft that includes a full range of options from which the council could choose.
"I just have a problem with a family renting a pavilion for a family reunion and they can't smoke," said Wyatt.
But earlier drafts have included a ban on smoking in enclosed public places, enclosed areas within places of employment; the seating areas and covered concourses of all outdoor sports arenas, stadiums, and amphitheaters; in spectator seating at sporting and other public events; in covered public transportation facilities, in outdoor seating areas; and "within 15 feet outside of entrances, exits, or wheelchair ramps serving any entrance or exit; operable windows; or ventilation systems of enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited."
Other issues include whether smoking would be allowed in existing bars, private homes and specially designated smoking rooms of hotels and nursing homes.
Mary Ann Dolezal, who chairs the Tobacco Free Fort Bend organization, said her organization interprets the overwhelming passage of the smoking referendum as "a signal, loud and clear."
Dolezal said her organization's main goal is to protect workers from second-hand smoke in the workplace. She said the group worked for passage of the Sugar Land ordinance in 2008, and will be pushing Missouri City to pass a strong ordinance as well.
"All workers deserve the right to breathe clean air. Your health shouldn't be jeopardized by where you work," Dolezal said. Dolezal said also that she doesn't want to see a lot of exemptions in the ordinance.
The smoking ordinance must be considered on two readings by the City Council, after public hearings. The first will be June 21 with the final public hearing and vote likely to follow at the July 5 meeting.
Quit Smoking cigarettes Ideas - What is Most effective Answer For You? Feel afresh with 5 natural ways for the tobacco free you Is there anything good about smoking? Why Use A Water Smoker? Luci Cigarettes Review And It Might Save Your Life Blu Smokeless Cigarettes Reviews For Your Convenience How Long Does it take to Stop Smoking? Smokeless Cigarettes How Do They Work Smokeless Cigarettes Where To Buy Benefits Of Smokeless Cigarettes With Nicotine A Look At Tobaccoless Cigarettes Smoking and Your Eyes The Effective Strategy To Quit Smoking