The city of New Braunfels, Texas will soon have a new smoking ban that applies to all indoor businesses, as the city council approved the ban at its meeting on Monday night.
The new ordinance prohibits smoking in all public places and places of employment within the city limits, though retail tobacco and vape shops did get an exemption. Additionally, the city has imposed a ban on smoking within five feet from the entrances, exits, operable windows, and ventilation systems of enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited, though the council did approve an amendment that exempts bars and restaurants from that requirement, according to a report by Herald-Zeitung.com.
Violators of the ban will face a first-time fine of $200, which quickly escalates to $500 for a second offense and $2,000 for a third violation.
The city has not yet posted the amended ordinance, but the proposal that was considered during the meeting is still online. According to that document, the ban will go into effect once it has been signed by the council and filed with the city secretary’s office.
New Braunfels is located approximately 33 miles northwest of San Antonio and 50 miles southwest of Austin. It is home to 63,279 residents as of 2013 population estimates.