If you thought the September 1 effective date of the new smoking ordinance was the last you’d hear of it, think again. 19 owners and bar staff from the effected bars filed a lawsuit September 19th and there was news this past week from Judge Sam Sparks who’ll be hearing the challenge.
I was out Tuesday night when word of his comments reached patrons and owners of one sixth street establishment. The smokers in attendance took his comments to mean that there wouldn’t be any fear of enforcement until his ruling, so they lit up right then and there. The hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. I must say that I’ve noticed and enjoyed the 5 or 6 times I’ve been out since the ban went into effect.
Update: I forgot to mention that the new ordinance is also under seige from state legislators and lobbyists because Austin Club, a private club, falls under the ban. Kelso wrote about it today in his column in the Statesman.
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More smoking ban coverage here and here.
There was widespread “civil disobedience” Tuesday night at a 6th St. pub-who-shall-remain-nameless. One or two people initially lit up with a few furtive glances, but eventually a dozen or so patrons were puffing with impunity. I didn’t mind at the time (this was, after all, one of Austin’s most notoriously smokey establishments of yore) but the noxious stink got quite a response from the wife when I got home.