Smokers won’t be allowed to light up anymore in Dallas city parks starting March 1, 2017.
The Dallas City Council voted 8-6 for the ban with exceptions for golf courses, the Elm Fork Shooting Range and park events in leased space like the State Fair of Texas.
Councilman Phillip Kingston was one in favor of a total ban.
“It is a public health issue. If you have never seen someone die of lung cancer, then you’re blessed. And to the extent that we can put an end to it, then we really need to,” said Kingston.
He said the city has tried a smoking ban before.
“None of the doomsday predictions that the restaurant and bar owners made at that time, came to pass. There was no drop off in business. If anything, we have seen nothing but public health benefit,” said Kingston.
The future Trinity River Park will be allowed an exception as well. The State Fair and Dallas Arboretum will set their own smoking rules.
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