Little opposition among readers to smoking ban at Billy Bob’s Texas

Billy Bob’s Texas, Fort Worth’s most famous bar/entertainment venue, has banned indoor smoking because of complaints from customers.

Smoking has long been off-limits in the honky-tonk’s showroom, where musicians perform, but the new ban extends the prohibition to the bar and dance floor.

Smoking is allowed on a new outdoor patio.

Billy Bob’s and other bars were major holdouts in 2008 when Fort Worth banned smoking in most public places, including restaurants. Should the city’s smoking ordinance now be extended to cover all bars?

Yes, Fort Worth should ban smoking in all public places. While we’re on the subject, the state of Texas needs to pass a smoking ban in all public places.

Texas is one of the few states that doesn’t have a statewide smoking ban. Visitors from other states can’t believe that smoking is still allowed in bars and restaurants.

My wife and I patronize only establishments that are smoke-free, and we make it a point to let the management know that we appreciate it.

Bar owners argue that they will lose business if smoking is banned. However, Austin banned smoking many years ago and I see that the bars there are usually full.

Billy Bob’s Texas was innovative with its smoking ban. Management has come to realize that the inherent risks of smoking and the secondhand residual effects far outweigh opposition to the ban.

The ban came about because of complaints from Billy Bob’s customers, and, as we all know, “The customer is always right.”

The honky-tonk left an alternative for folks to smoke on its outdoor patio. So no one was discriminated against.

I believe that a no-smoking ordinance citywide would be beneficial for the public health considering how carcinogenic smoke is.

Smoking is a very dirty habit. I think we all know that.

I realize this is America and we all have choices. But secondhand smoke is dangerous to anyone who is confronted with it.

Something so harmful to others should be banned everywhere people gather.

If you want to risk your own health, that’s your business. But I don’t care to smell the disgusting aftermath of one’s smoke.

Ban smoking in every public and private place.

The Cooper Institute began with a simple vision to investigate and to prove that health and fitness influence quality of life and longevity. Today, we know that prevention is critical, and it is imperative that, as a society, we move from a culture of healthcare to one of well-care.

Annually, more than 41,000 people in the United States die from preventable diseases caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.

We applaud the bold move of Billy Bob’s toward establishing a smoke-free environment for their customers, entertainers and, most important, their employees.

To date, more than 40 Texas cities have enacted effective, scientifically proven smoke-free ordinances. The results show improvements in not only population health, but economics as well. These policies work; they reduce acute coronary events, risk for cancers and ultimately save lives.

The Cooper Institute is committed to ensuring all Tarrant County residents have the opportunity to live well.

I can’t believe people are still smoking — considering the exorbitant cost of cigarettes.

Yes, Fort Worth’s smoking ordinance should be extended to cover all bars and bingo halls.

We’re the only major city in Texas without a comprehensive smoke-free ordinance! Whoa, what’s wrong with this picture? Fort Worth is supposed to be a leader!

Studies show this would save businesses money (healthcare costs, insurance, maintenance), protect employee health and would not adversely affect bar business. Let’s face it: Only 15 percent of Americans smoke now. So who do you want to attract — 85 percent or 15 percent?

It’s time for Fort Worth to step up for a smoke-free ordinance that protects all workers, including those who work in bars and bingo parlors.

With every breath in a restaurant or bar that allows smoking, workers are exposed to 7,000 chemicals that cause heart disease, lung cancer and other serious illnesses. No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck!

I am a cardiologist at Texas Health Fort Worth. I strongly support the smoking ban in bars to improve the health of the community.

As a college student, I’ve seen the effects that smoking in bars has on my peers and me.

I’ve watched friends who are asthmatic have to leave a venue because of smoke in the air. Even worse is knowing of the chemicals of secondhand smoke in my heart and lungs after a night with friends at a bar that permits smoking.

The chemicals in secondhand smoke have been linked to an increased risk of lung, liver and brain cancer, as well as leukemia and lymphoma. Secondhand smoke is a serious health hazard, yet it is a completely preventable cause of disease and death.

I believe that all bars in Fort Worth should become smoke-free, so that my friends and I don’t have to decide where we will spend our dollars based solely upon which establishments are smoke-free.

In Texas alone, smoking causes an estimated 28,000 deaths and leads to $8.85 billion in healthcare costs and $8.22 billion in productivity losses annually. Nationwide, secondhand smoke claims more than 42,000 lives each year. We must act now to save lives.

As president of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, I applaud Billy Bob’s Texas for protecting the health of its patrons and employees by banning smoking indoors.

Studies suggest a statewide smoke-free workplace law would improve Texans’ health and save $404 million in healthcare and productivity costs. Fifty-one cities in Texas already have passed such ordinances.

Public policy is one of the most effective ways we can impact the health of our citizens.

Through our Cancer Moon Shots Program, we have served as an educational resource for tobacco-related measures, and we support their implementation as work to end cancer.

Why not let the market decide?

It should be the decision of the bar owner, not the city ordinance department.

Billy Bob’s management made the decision to ban smoking, and last I heard, that business is still operating.

This decision might cost the club a few customers, but it might bring in more nonsmokers as well.

The government is in our lives too much already.

This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 7:44 PM with the headline "Little opposition among readers to smoking ban at Billy Bob’s Texas."