For Austin and beyond: A smoking ban for all Texas?

By Laura Alanis

Months after the successful passing of a smoking ban ordinance in Austin, the group that lead the fight for passage has its sights set on making Texas smoke-free.

Photo by Karen Swanson A used ash tray sits outside of Ann Arnold's apartment in West Campus.

Onward Austin members say Austin’s ban, which outlaws smoking indoors at any public venue, including bars and restaurants, places the state one step closer to becoming a smoke-free environment.

With Dallas, El Paso, Waco, Lubbock and College Station among some of the Texas cities with smoking ban ordinances, the grassroots coalition hopes to present the Legislature with a statewide smoking ban proposal. These cities help place Texas closer to the 50 percent of the population needed to become a smoke-free state. Currently, Houston is in the process of passing a citywide smoking ban ordinance.

Onward Austin spokesman Rodney Ahart said making Texas smoke-free is important to Texans because it will decrease the rate of lung cancer and improve the state’s air quality. Fewer carcinogens in the air will mean lower lung cancer rates and remains very consistent with similar studies in Delaware, California and Ireland.

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