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"It's barely controlled chaos [at the local level]. We can't be everywhere at once. I give the anti-smoking people credit for their vision in that area."
Walker MerrymanVice President, Tobacco Institute
Texas
Communities throughout Texas are deciding it's not acceptable to smoke in ways that harm other people. Cities with strong smokefree protections for all workplaces, restaurants and bars include Austin, Houston, Dallas, El Paso, Abilene, Copperas Cove, Woodway, and Round Rock. See ANR's list for more details about the more than 40 Texas communities that have enacted 100% smokefree laws.
For more information about smokefree air efforts in Texas, visit Smokefree Texas.
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The Texas Restaurant Association and Texas Licensed Beverage Association have long-standing financial and lobbying ties to Philip Morris, so it's no surprise those groups oppose smokefree workplace protections.
Texas law does not preempt the passage of local smokefree laws. Read more about current tobacco-related legislation in Texas.
Current tobacco-related statistics are available from the Centers for Disease Control's Tobacco Control State Highlights, 2007.
Texas' next legislative session will convene in 2011.
Legislative SummariesArchives
There aren't any legislative summaries for this state at this time. Please check back.
Action AlertsArchives
- 8/13/2010Preemption Watch Bill Tracking Summary
- 5/19/2010What's happening in the U.S. Territories and Commonwealths?
News SummariesArchives
- 4/23/2010Texas, other states, should increase anti-smoking campaigns, CDC chief says
- 2/5/2010State Preemption of Local Smoke-Free Laws in Government Work Sites, Private Work Sites, and Restaurants United States, 2005-2009
- 5/23/2009Smoke isn’t clearing as Legislature nears end
- 5/20/2009Statewide smoking ban is dead, bill authors say
- 5/6/2009Smoking ban bill being blocked from Senate vote
- 4/16/2009EDITORIAL: Smoking ban: Texas should follow El Paso
- 4/14/2009Lawmakers to hear testimony on statewide smoking ban
- 2/22/2009Smoking ban gains new support in Texas
- 1/8/2009Smoking ban bill receives new life
- 1/7/2009Houston senator to propose statewide smoking ban
- 12/25/2008Lawmakers say Texas needs statewide smoking ban
- 5/6/2008Association honors Crownover for anti-smoking bill
Press ReleasesArchives
There aren't any press releases for this state at this time. Please check back.
