Smokers may have to step outside soon if they want to light up in Galveston. The island city is considering a no-smoking ordinance, KPRC Local 2 reported Wednesday.

The issue is expected to be voted on by city council members. Some businesses have already instituted a no-smoking policy. Three historic hotels, including the Galvez, recently banned smoking. "There's no smoking on the premises," a customer said. At first, the hotels were concerned that a smoking ban would snuff out business. "I really haven't found much resistance to it at all. We did offer some groups different accommodations for some of their members, if need be, but we haven't had any group cancellations," said Steve Wisner, the Hotel Galvez general manager. Some businesses joined a grass-roots group called Smoke-Free Galveston. "We want to make sure our council adopts a very strong ordinance that includes restaurants, bars, all public venues and work-sites," said Renee Adame, with Smoke-Free Galveston. The group said it will not agree to any compromise, such as businesses partitioning areas for smokers. The restaurant and bar industry has scoffed at the idea of the ordinance. Some are definitely against it. "I don't think my customers would be really happy with that," said a bartender at O'Malley's Irish Pub. A public hearing will be held on the issue Nov. 1 at 6 p.m. at the Galveston Community Center, located at 4700 Broadway.

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