Tobacco Facts.

Lighting up in some area businesses, stores and public places is all snuffed out.

The Kilgore City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a citywide anti-smoking ordinance that will take effect in the next 30 days.

“We want to give businesses time to prepare their signs and get things in order before this is to take effect,” Mayor Joe T. Parker said.

Under the ordinance, smoking is prohibited in all restaurants and bars where less than half of revenue comes from alcohol sales.

Smoking also is prohibited in all retail stores, places of employment and indoor public places — including bowling facilities and bingo facilities — and at all public parks and recreation areas in the city. Smokers will have to light up 30 feet away from all building entrances and exits.

Retail tobacco stores and country clubs and bars where more than 50 percent of all revenue is generated from alcohol sales are exempt from the prohibition.

“We held two town hall meetings, and everyone but one person was in favor of this ordinance,” Parker said. “This is what the community wants.”

Longview enacted a smoking ordinance in 2003 that banned smoking in public places, including restaurants, if they could not meet certain specifications. The Tyler City Council approved its smoking ordinance in February 2008 to include restaurants and bars, places of employment and all public places.

Kilgore delayed its consideration of a smoking ban until after the just-ended legislative session, where a high-profile proposal for a statewide anti-smoking law was being considered. It failed, prompting Kilgore to resume its ordinance process.

Mayor Pro Tem Janice Hancock said she wanted to add more restrictions to the Kilgore ordinance.

“My concern is for the employees who work in those bars and don’t smoke,” Hancock said. “I would like to see smoking banned there, too, because I’m concerned for their health.”

Councilman Randy Renshaw said he supported the ordinance, but expressed concern for how code enforcement officers would regulate businesses.

“We can’t even enforce a garage sale sign” ordinance, Renshaw said. “If we approve this, how will it be enforced properly because people have expressed they don’t want to deal with smoking in the restaurants.”

Parker said after 30 days, city code enforcement officers will be checking whether businesses are complying. If not, business owners could face misdemeanor charges and be fined up to $1,500.

“Officers and business owners know to enforce this,” Parker said. “I think once we get the signs up people will comply.”

Supporters said they are happy about the ordinance, but wish council members would adopt tighter measures.

Kristine Weaver, the regional government affairs director for the American Cancer Society, said she’s disappointed Kilgore officials did not consider prohibiting smoking in all bars.

“This is a public health issue,” Weaver said. “There is a myth out there that says banning smoking in bars will hurt businesses, and that’s just not true.”

Former Kilgore Together Program Manager Carolyn Martin agreed.

“I wish it was more strict,” Martin said. “But I’m just glad that it passed.”

The ordinance

- Smoking is prohibited in all restaurants and bars where less than half of revenue comes from alcohol sales.

- Smoking is prohibited in all retail stores, places of employment and indoor public places — including bowling facilities and bingo facilities — and at all public parks and recreation areas in the city.

- Smokers will have to light up 30 feet away from all building entrances and exits.

- Retail tobacco stores and country clubs and bars where more than 50 percent of all revenue is from alcohol sales are exempt.

© Copyright: News-journal

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