The Alice, TX. City Council passed a smoking ban ordinance on Thursday that bans smoking in public places, save for a few exceptions that include cigar shops. Despite a call from Mayor Larry Martinez to put the ban to a public vote, the council passed the ordinance which amended the existing smoking ban and created a criminal penalty for violation that could reach $2,000. Along with tobacco shops, private residences, bars, hotel or motel rooms that are rented to guests, private clubs and outdoor or private offices received exemptions from the ban. Alice City Attorney Joe Torres thought that these exemptions made the ban both practical and enforceable, according to AliceTX.com. “The heart of it is smoking is hereby prohibited in all public places to be limited to the City of Alice,” Torres was quoted as saying. In addition to the ban, smoke free perimeters of 15 feet will also be established around restaurants and other establishments. The ban goes into effect in April.
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