Huntsville Smoking Ban Fails

The effort to ban smoking completely from Huntsville's bars and restaurants failed last week. Instead, the Huntsville City Council passed an ordinance that requires restaurants and bars to post whether or not smoking is allowed on the premises.

The ordinance requires a sign no smaller than 12 inches by 12 inches that states "Smoking" or "No Smoking" with a pictorial representation of a burning cigarette with or without the universal circle with a red line through it. Signs must be "conspicuously" posted throughout the premises, according to the ordinance. (Huntsville Times)

Hmmmm...I don't really see how that will change much. I doubt very seriously that many establishments that don't already prohibit smoking will choose to do so because of the new ordinance, but I could be wrong. Maybe someone will find a way to successfully tap that market.

I'm not a big supporter of smoking bans, period. Bars and restaurants are private property and smoking is a legal activity. So, the way I see it - if owners want to allow smoking, they ought to be able to.

The Huntsville ordinance simply requires full disclosure, so it sounds like a reasonable compromise, even if it turns out to be temporary. There's no doubt that this issue will be raised again - probably sooner than later - and I'd almost be willing to bet that a ban will eventually pass. In the meantime, Huntsvillains who don't like smoke still have an option, as unpleasant as it may be - don't go to a bar.