At its meeting on Monday night, the Denison City Council approved an ordinance that will bring an end to smoking in bars and restaurants this summer.
According to the meeting’s agenda packet, the ban has been in the works since 2016 when the city met with stakeholders from local restaurants and bars to discuss potentially modifying the city’s existing smoking ordinance. The proposed ordinance called for a prohibition on smoking within any public place including restaurants and bars and a prohibition on smoking within 25 feet of any door or other opening to an enclosed area.
Smoking will still be allowed on patios, which the city defines as unenclosed outside areas associated with a food establishment or bar.
The ban goes into effect on July 1, 2017, giving restaurants and bars time to bring their establishments in line with the new law.
Denison is located 75 miles north of Dallas and is home to approximately 23,000 residents.