Complete Texas Smoking Ban May be a Reality Soon

Texas is one of the few remaining states in the union where smoking is still legal in some public places. As of right now, you can smoke in designated smoking areas of public establishments, or anywhere in one that is clearly marked as not having a non-smoking section.

But all that will change soon if State Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton has her way. After a failed attempt in 2007, she once again is leading the charge to make smoking illegal in all public establishments, including bars, clubs and restaurants. State Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston will file the bill in the Senate, while Crownover will file it in the House.

Under the proposed law, those caught smoking in the newly illegal places would be slapped with a Class-C Misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $500.

What do you think of the proposed bill? Will it pass, or will it fall short once again like in 2007 (when it passed the House but not the Senate)? Do you feel this is a good thing for the public, or does it infringe on smokers' and business owners' rights?