Beaumont (TX) Passes Smokefree Workplace Law
04/27/06
4th Texas city to go smokefree, joining Austin, El Paso, and Laredo
Beaumont (TX), 4/27/06 -- This week, the Beaumont City Council voted 4-2 in favor of smokefree workplace legislation, including smokefree offices, restaurants, and bars. A spokeswoman for the Texas Department of State Health Services explained that Beaumont is the fourth city in Texas to pass comprehensive smokefree workplace legislation, joining Austin, El Paso, and Laredo.
The law will take effect on August 1.
City staff presented the council with three different smokefree proposals-- comprehensive, weak, and very weak. The council chose the comprehensive proposal. The weak proposal would have allowed smoking in restaurants and bars, if the owners installed separate air conditioning systems. The very weak proposal would have allowed smoking in bars.
Under the comprehensive law passed by the Council, smoking is also prohibited within 25 feet from the entrance to a building.
To send a letter in support of smokefree air where YOU live, go to www.smokefree.net/alerts.php
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