Huh?
Written by Lyssa Graham
How did this happen? The smoking ban on the island has been revoked? Huh? Was I not paying attention during the weeks of public debate, discussion and level-headed argument surrounding the review of the smoking ordinance?
Was I that far out of touch?
What? There was no public debate and discussion and level-headed argument? Oh, well then that makes sense. Perfect Galveston sense, that is. We like surprises around here. And what kind of conversation is it when you’ve had time to fully debate, investigate and form an opinion before you open your mouth? I sure would hate for us to try to have reasoned, intelligent conversation. Messes up the karma of the island.
But since the topic has come back up – although it appears that time for discussion has come and gone already – let’s talk about the smoking thing.
Full disclosure, I am a smoker. No, I’m not an ardent fan of smoking. I wish I didn’t smoke but I am also a very weak woman. I’m not proud of this and I sincerely look forward to the day when I am no longer a smoker.
Unfortunately, until that day comes, I got me a smoking monkey on my back and I knowingly take the risks associated with this nasty habit of mine. I agree that it is manifestly unfair and uncool of me to spread the risks associated with smoking to those around me. I try very hard not to do that and I have never objected to leaving a building for a smoke.
In fact, the chance to escape a noisy bar for the relative peace and quiet of the street corner outside is equally as motivating as my need for nicotine. Smoking can be useful that way. Besides, you meet the most interesting people in the “pariah” section where we smokers gather. So, I’m good with having to go outside to smoke. Doesn’t bother me at all unless it’s raining and that’s only because it gets difficult to keep a cigarette lit in the rain. When that happens, I usually just go home. Which is also ok with me.
Our original ban seemed a bit harsh to me in outlawing smoking on patios and sidewalks and restricting it to at least fifteen feet from the doorway of any establishment. Fifteen feet from any doorway downtown is a difficult distance to achieve without standing in the middle of the street. Call that a public safety concern but one I was willing to live with. (My Mom taught me to look both ways before I cross the street so I’m pretty convinced that I’ll survive the outside thing.) Once the smoking rules went into effect, I started keeping a tape measure in my purse at all times so that I can be a law-abiding citizen and I found that I didn’t miss smoking inside public buildings even a little bit.
Once I realized that the police weren’t likely to bust me for being less than fifteen feet from a building entrance, I stopped worrying about the smoking ban. Yeah, it was unfair to allow smoking inside precisely one downtown business but sometimes things are unfair and it just didn’t seem worth worrying about in light of the rest of the nonsense going on in the City.
But here we are again. And on pretty short notice, the smoking ordinance was slapped onto the agenda, publically debated, internally debated and then more or less dismissed. Shazaam! Now, according to the City’s press release, smoking will be allowed in private clubs, fraternal organizations and outside seating areas.
Ok. Seems to me that private clubs and fraternal organizations are, well, private and entitled to make their own rules. And outside, for goodness sake, is outside. Get rid of the automobile traffic and then get back to me on the effect of my smoking on clean outside air.
Drinking is now allowed in tobacco shops in addition to smoking. Ok. I’ve been to the tobacco shop once and made it through without needing a drink but, if that’s what makes the rest of the island happy, so be it.
And finally, smoking is allowed in bars that meet the City’s definition of an “adult venue” as long as the appropriate signage is posted. The definition of “adult venue,” as stated during the Council meeting, essentially is bars that don’t allow minors, provided those bars are separated from other public establishments by impermeable walls, ceilings, etc. and have ventilation systems.
Ok with that too. Smoking in bars and adult venues seems to me to be a matter of choice for the owners and patrons. Sure I can live without a smoke in a bar, but I can also live without going to bars at all so maybe I’m a minority here. But it does seem to me that adults can make their own decisions about patronizing a smoky bar and the market will drive the decisions made by bar owners as to whether or not to allow smoking.
Restaurants with separate smoking sections didn’t quite meet the definition and would have been prohibited from applying for adult venue status.
That is until a City Councilman who works for a large restaurant owner asked to strike one line and change the word and to or. Suddenly, Shazaam again, smoking is essentially allowable in any public establishment with a bar and wall separating it from the rest of the building OR a ventilation system.
Ventilation system isn’t defined very clearly either. But hey, who cares? Most of the many restaurants owned and operated by this Councilman’s employer have bar areas that are more or less separate from the restaurant area and I imagine an order for large “smoke eater” ventilation systems has already been placed. They’re cheaper than building walls.
And just like that, in fifty-five minutes out of a nearly six hour meeting, the smoking ordinance was gutted and essentially removed. All it takes is an undefined ventilation system. Quick work there, surprisingly quick work. I’m not saying that this Councilman planned to gut the ordinance. He may just have seized on the opportunity but done is done and there you have it.
Although done is rarely really done in Galveston, come to think it.
I hate to tell Council this, but, I’m pretty sure you just got played. Welcome to the office, newbies.
Lyssa Graham is based on Galveston Island – a little slice of funky just outside of Texas. Contact her at Lyssa@LyssaGraham.com |
