The question “Smoking or non-smoking?” will soon be obsolete in restaurants across Dallas.
The Dallas City Council voted Wednesday afternoon to ban smoking in restaurants and in many other public places. Although opponents put up a strong fight, the measure passed with a final vote of 10 – 3. One of the main points debated was whether or not the city ordinance would affect the economy. City officials were warned by critics that this move could devastate the Dallas economy.
Mayor Laura Miller was not convinced.
“The scientific evidence is on the side of the bans, because these studies show over and over again that it does not adversely impact the restaurant industry in any of these cities or states,” Miller said at Wednesday’s meeting.
New York City and Boston are among many cities that have enacted a smoking ban in restaurants and bars. Vermont, Maine and Utah banned smoking in restaurants. Miller wanted a ban rather than the city’s Environmental Health Commission proposal which would allow for restaurants to maintain separately ventilated smoking sections.
“This should be a matter of choice for the owner of the restaurant and a choice for the customers of that restaurant,” council member Sandy Greyson said in support of the EHC proposal.
Smoking will still be permitted in designated areas of freestanding bars and pool halls, and on restaurant patios, as long as they are not enclosed.
“I don’t think it’s fair,” said Jimmy Bharmal, owner of J. Pepe’s on Greenville Avenue “As it is, the economy is so bad.” Bharmal said that this new ordinance would absolutely result in a loss in revenue.
The law defines a bar as an establishment that derives at least 75 percent of it gross revenue on a quarterly basis from alcohol sales.
The Green Elephant, on Greenville Avenue, derives most of its money from alcohol.
“It [the ban] will not affect us. We’re mainly a bar,” said Matt Moore, a manager at The Green Elephant. “Personally, I think it’s stupid. I’m all for people who don’t want to smoke, that’s what non-smoking sections are for.”
Melissa Knowles, junior broadcast journalism major agrees with the smoking ban. She is asthmatic and says that smoke lingers regardless of what section you are sitting in. “For so long, there has been very little you could do,” Knowles said. Now that it’s a mandatory law, it will make environment a lot cleaner. I think that businesses will see some negative affects in the beginning. But after a while they’ll start abiding by the rules just like the seat belt law.”
The ordinance takes effect March 1, 2003.
“Our biggest problem will be late night, after people get out of the bars and clubs,” said Bill Cruze, a manager at Snuffers on Greenville said. “We’ll have to wait and see but I think that people will get used to it like they did with airplanes.”
