Statewide Smoking Ban Delayed

Here in Austin we already have a pretty rigorous smoking ban. Though indoor smoking at public places is always a no-no, a patio is usually ok (unless you're at the W's restaurant, Trace, where they ask smokers to stand on the curb like the second class citizens we are). SB 28 asks that Texas pass a statewide smoking ban in public places, including some outdoor public spots, but it hasn't received much traction. The Tribune reports, "State Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, and Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, both filed smoking ban bills during the regular session, only to see them defeated. In May, House lawmakers led by Crownover attached the ban to SB 1811, a funding bill, but the measure was stripped out in conference committee after objections from senators. In order to fit Gov. Rick Perry’s call for the special session, the bill was relabeled as an effort to reduce Medicaid and other health care costs." Ellis claims that banning smoking will save $31 billion dollars in Medicaid spending over the next biennium. Sneaky!