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House bill would create statewide smoking ban

06:31 PM CST on Wednesday, January 7, 2009

By MARI ALVAREZ
KVUE News

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KVUE's Mari Alvarez reports

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Smokers beware -- you may not be able to light up at your favorite hangout anymore because of a bill that was filed in the Texas House Wednesday.

The smoke-free work place legislation -- House Bill 5 -- would create a statewide smoking ban inside places of business, including bars and restaurants.

During the last 20 years, not much has changed at Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse.

"When you walk into Poodie’s, you know there's going to be smoke," said Mike Clark, a long time customer at the bar and grill in Spicewood.

Cigarette smoke is as much a part of this place as the self-serve Marlboro machine, and people who go there say they like it that way.

"It's just smoke and beer and live music," said Clark.

He and his wife Linsey are not smokers, but still aren't happy to hear of a proposed statewide smoking ban filed at the State Capitol on Wednesday.

"I don't think government has any business in it -- it's a personal choice. It's a personal choice for us to be in here, knowing that there's going to be smoke," said Clark.

Poodie’s manager Brooks Brannon is a smoker.

"I don't wanna be yelling at the customers and throwing stuff because I want a cigarette!" said Brannon.

Author of the smoking ban bill, Republican Myra Crownover of Denton, says the motivation behind it is people just like Brannon.

"The role of HB 5, the smoke-free workplace, is to protect the workers of the state of Texas of the dangers of second-hand smoke," said Crownover.

Her legislation would only outlaw smoking inside places of business and violators could be fined if a patron filed a complaint.

"This is something that we can do with almost zero cost, and it is good for the economy, it's good for Texans and it's especially good for the employees of the State of Texas,” said Crownover.

But right now, nothing's changing at Poodie’s.

"I wish I didn't smoke, and I hope to quit someday. I wish my customer's didn't smoke -- but here, you can, and that's the bottom line," said Brannon.

Crownover filed a similar statewide smoking ban bill last session. The bill passed the House, but died in the Senate.

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