Tyler

By ADRIENNE GRAHAM
Staff Writer

Tyler City Council members are calling a special council meeting for Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 9 a.m. to hear recommendations from the Smoking Ordinance Task Force about a proposed smoking ban in Tyler.

The meeting will be held in the Tyler City Council chambers, located in City Hall at 212 N. Bonner Ave., and is open to the public.

The task force will recommend a new smoking ordinance that will prohibit smoking in all public establishments and places of work, including bars.

If approved by council, the task force has suggested the ordinance take effect within next few months.

Specific recommendations within the ordinance include prohibiting smoking within 20 feet of a public facility and under covered patios.

The suggested fine for first-time violators (individuals and establishments that fail to enforce) is $300.

The task force is also recommending that tobacco shops be exempt from the ordinance, due to the nature of their business.

The Smoking Task Force was appointed in December by Mayor Joey Seeber to review the city’s current smoking ordinance and make recommendations on potential revisions, following the results of the 2006 Surgeon General’s report on the effects of secondhand smoke.

“The Task Force has evaluated the health implications, business needs, the experiences of other communities as well as tremendous public input. They are now prepared to present their recommendations to the city council for consideration.” Seeber said.

A public meeting was held on Jan. 22 to gather public comment on potential changes to the smoking ordinance. According to city records, more than 115 citizens attended the meeting. Twenty-four people spoke in favor of the total smoking ban and 12 spoke against it. Additionally, residents have submitted letters and e-mails throughout the process.

“The Task Force is seeking to ensure that the smoking ordinance would be applied fairly without unnecessary intrusion into the personal lives of individuals and businesses," Task Force Chair Nathaniel Moran said.

The task force is comprised of eight Tyler business owners, medical professionals and the legal experts. Task force members include Nathaniel Moran, City Councilmember District 5; Chris Simons, Mayor Pro Tem; Bruce Carter, M.D., Diagnostic Radiologist; Bobby Curtis, business owner and chair of the Planning and Zoning Commission; Rick Eltife, restaurant owner; Jonathan MacClements, M.D., and president of the Smith County Medical Society; Brian McCalla, chair of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Council; Felicity Reedy, President, Genecov Group; Robert Westbrook, restaurant owner and former president of the East Texas Restaurant Association and the Smith County Health District.