Arlington, Texas Approves Expanded Smoking Ban

With two changes, the Arlington City Council voted 7-2 in favor of an expanded smoking ban that will prohibit smoking in bars, night clubs, strip clubs, pool halls and bowling alleys.

It’s the second time the City Council has voted to change the proposed smoking ban expansion. Last month, it excluded bingo halls from the expanded smoking ban, on Tuesday it decided to modify language prohibiting smoking within 50 feet of an entrance to just 15 feet. It also removed e-cigarettes from the list of prohibited devices.

The move to reduce the proximity to an entrance means that many businesses will still be able to have smoking areas on their patios, something that would haven’t been possible with the original version of the law.

All three changes will still allow the city to earn a destination as a “100 Percent Smoke-Free City” by the World Health Organization (WHO), something that seemed of unique importance to the City Council.

A fine of $2,000 will be issued to business found in violation of the rule. It will become law 10 days after the ordinance is published.

Arlington is a Dallas suburb with a population of just under 400,000. It is home to AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, and Globe Life Park, home of the Texas Rangers.