In the News

Smoking ban has bar owners feeling like they want a cigarette
Bar owners say they will be forced to act like police when the smoking ban takes effect because they will be fined if someone is caught smoking. KXAN reports that in last night's meeting (number two of four scheduled this month for bar owners and the city), bar owners were told to avoid being fined, they must place a "No Smoking" sign at the door, remove ashtrays, and, seriously, call 911 if someone refuses to extinguish their cig. Will smoking a cigarette really become an emergency? Austinist thought that's what 311 was for. Well, it is reported in the Statesman today that Austin police are the highest paid officers in the state. Makes sense, because their job is going to get a lot more intense. Hell, adult bar owners and police officers who've never smoked a cigarette in their lives might start smoking just to curb the stress of having to stop people from smoking. Ridiculous assumption, yes. But just as ridiculous as having to call 911 if someone refuses to stop smoking in a bar.

Austinist thinks 911 should be reserved for reporting sickos like this .