Continuing down the slippery slope towards total control and tyranny, the Galveston City Council passed an ordinance banning smoking in bars and restaurants Island-wide, even inside tobacco stores. Galveston's City Council amended the ordinance language and adopted a comprehensive smoking ban for Galveston Island that prohibits smoking in bars, restaurants, private clubs, and outdoor seating areas. Additionally, smoking is banned within 15 feet of an establishment's primary entrance. This ordinance will take effect on January 1, 2010.

We don’t need more smoking bans because people are figuring this out on their own. In most cities and towns, more than half the restaurants are already nonsmoking by choice, and virtually every restaurant has seats reserved for non-smokers. There is little evidence that non-smokers who visit restaurants and bars believe smoking is a major concern. In restaurants with smoking and nonsmoking sections, better ventilation systems rather than smoking bans could solve any remaining concerns.

Smoking bans have had severe negative effects on restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in cities where such bans have been enacted. Smokers choose to stay home or visit friends who allow smoking in their homes, or spend less time (and less money) in bars and nightclubs before leaving.