City leaders in Bryan, Texas have snuffed out smoking in a number of places within city limits, notably bars and restaurants, as an ordinance was approved at the city council’s May 14 meeting that prohibits smoking in nearly all public places and workplaces.

The ordinance does contain a number of exemptions, notably for tobacco retailers such as cigar stores and lounges, as well as bingo halls that were operating as of May 14, 2019. Private spaces such the VFW and American Legion halls also retain their exemptions.

The ban also applies to the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices, and adds a 20-foot smoke free buffer zone around any place where smoking is prohibited. Additionally, the ordinance addresses the sale and use of e-cigarettes to minors, something that had not been previously codified.

The ordinance went into effect immediately upon its passage.

Bryan is home to just over 84,000 residents and is located 100 miles northwest of Houston.

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Patrick Lagreid

I strive to capture the essence of a cigar and the people behind them in my work – every cigar you light up is the culmination of the work of countless people and often represents generations of struggle and stories. For me, it’s about so much more than the cigar – it’s about the story behind it, the experience of enjoying the work of artisans and the way that a good cigar can bring people together. In addition to my work with halfwheel, I’m the public address announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks during spring training, as well as for the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League, the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury and previously the Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League. I also work in a number of roles for MLB.com, plus I'm a voice over artist. Prior to joining halfwheel, I covered the Phoenix and national cigar scene for Examiner.com, and was an editor for Cigar Snob magazine.