Mayor to propose smoking ban [chron]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/2834819

Mayor to propose ban on restaurant smoking
Bars would be exempt in a plan White hopes to roll out by year's end
By RON NISSIMOV
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

Houston restaurants may soon be smoke-free.

Mayor Bill White announced Wednesday that he is drafting an ordinance that would ban smoking in restaurants, but not in bars.

"I have been listening to people who want a ban everywhere and the people who don't want to lose their market," White said. "I'm trying to find the middle ground."

White said his proposal would be phased in over two years to try to minimize any negative impact on restaurants.

Under Houston's current ordinance, restaurants and other public buildings are allowed to have smoking areas if they are properly ventilated. Smoking is banned within 25 feet of entrances to public buildings.

White said that under his proposal, any restaurants with bars in their establishments would be allowed to maintain smoking areas in the bars, as long as there is "real separation" from the dining areas.

The mayor said he didn't have details of his proposal because his legal department is looking into the matter. He said he hopes to have a proposed ordinance prepared in time for City Council to vote on it before the end of the year.


Councilwoman pleased

Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, a physician who has been working with anti-smoking groups to push for a total ban on smoking in public buildings, said she appreciates White's proposal.

"I feel like it's a step in the right direction," Sekula-Gibbs said.

She pointed out that many cities that have barred smoking in public places started off with partial bans such as White's proposal.

"I think most Houstonians would support a full ban, but the mayor won't do it right now," Sekula-Gibbs said.

New York and Los Angeles have banned smoking in workplaces, restaurants and bars, and Chicago is considering similar restrictions.

White declined to say whether he might pursue a stricter ban while he is in office, saying he will approach the issue "step by step." He said it is "common sense" to allow smoking in bars because they serve alcohol.

Juli Salvagio, executive director of the Greater Houston Restaurant Association, said the organization supports White's proposal because it would not prevent smoking in bars or bar areas within restaurants. She said the organization expressed its concerns about a total ban to Sekula-Gibbs and a representative from the mayor's office during a Sept. 8 meeting convened by the councilwoman.


Wary of total ban
"It sounds like we were heard," Salvagio said.

Salvagio said the association would support a total ban in restaurants only if it is enacted statewide. She said the total ban in Dallas has hurt restaurants there because customers are flocking to surrounding communities that do not have bans.

Lance Fegen, owner of Trevisio restaurant in the Texas Medical Center and Zula restaurant downtown, said he supports White's proposal.

"I think that as we've gotten a little bit older we've gotten a bit wiser," Fegen said. "The perception that a smoking section in a restaurant doesn't offend anybody is really ridiculous."

Fegen said many upscale restaurants in Houston such as his already ban smoking from dining areas because "a majority of the people don't want smoking to be part of the experience, especially with expensive foods and wines."

Zula allows smoking in a bar area, he said.

Sekula-Gibbs said many mayors from towns near Houston have told her they might follow if the city enacts a ban.


Meetings seen as effective
She added that until Wednesday's proposal, she had not gotten much support from White in her efforts. Sekula-Gibbs said she believes White may have proposed the ordinance because she has pushed the issue by having two meetings in the last month with various constituency groups and community leaders.
White said he has always stated that he would like to find ways to reduce exposure to second-hand smoke in public places.