Voters in the city of Port Lavaca, Texas have given their approval to a ban on smoking in most all public buildings, passing a ballot item on Tuesday with 76.5% of voters agreeing that smoking should be done outside. The vote comes as a result of the city’s previous smoking ban being suspended earlier in 2015 after citizens requested the matter be put to a referendum. While the text of the ballot item has not been posted online, the previous version of the ordinance prohibited smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices in and within 15 feet of all public buildings, with the exception of retailers who exclusively sold vaping products. Violators of the ban were subject to citation with a misdemeanor and a fine of up to $500. Port Lavaca is located approximately 125 miles southwest of Houston and is home to approximately 12,500 residents.
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