Anti-smoking advocates to honor Texas
At noon today, Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights Executive Director Cynthia Hallett plans to award the organization Smoke-Free Texas with the group’s annual “Smokefree Indoor Challenge Award” for Texas’ passage in 2007 of the most local ordinances restricting smoking among U.S. states.
An interest group awarding another interest group an award. Just fascinating.
But what is interesting about this award is where the ceremony is taking place: in Dallas, a city where smoking in a bar or pool hall remains as legal as walking down the street.
Ms. Hallett says she hopes to make a point to Dallas city leaders, who are grappling with whether to expand current city smoking laws.
“We want to highlight that many large cities and small cities in Texas have done the right thing,” Ms. Hallett said. “It’s time for Dallas to join those ranks.”
Considering that a Dallas smoking law expansion faces notable opposition, how realistic does Ms. Hallett believe her goal is?
“Very realistic,” Ms. Hallett said, adding that she doesn’t yet know if she’ll meet directly with city officials. “For some folks, it’s the fear of the unknown. We want to help them see the health benefits of going smoke free.”
The award event is scheduled to be conducted at Iron Cactus in downtown Dallas.
Incidentally, Iron Cactus, while a smoke-free facility in its restaurant area per Dallas law, allows smoking at its rooftop bar and on its outdoor patios.
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- Groups rally against extended smoking ban in Dallas
- Cigar bars exempt as Dallas expands smoking ordinance
- City to weigh ban on smoking in workplace
- Businesses not yet feeling effect of smoking ban
Tags: Anti-Smoking