The state of Texas is considering placing a smoking ban, that would not allow smoking in bars or restaurants, through out the state of Texas. Many cities in Texas already have a similar city ordnance including Abilene.
The city of Abilene placed that very ban on Abilene just two years ago and many who were skeptical to begin with are saying that the ban is working. When the ban first went into affect January 2007, city police gave businesses and individuals about 30 days to start complying. After that grace period the police did several small raids and issued several citations before many businesses and individuals learned that the police were going to take this law seriously. Assistant police chief, Ken Merchant, says that once a few citations were written word spread quickly and within a few months they quit having problems.
One of the biggest concerns for many restaurants and bars was that their clients would leave if they couldn't smoke, forcing the businesses to lose money. Buffalo Wild Wings manager, Brandi Moss says that they did receive a drop in clientele right after the ordnance went into effect, but once all places of business started complying, their business picked right back up and they haven't seen a real change.
While many residents and businesses protested the ban originally, the Abilene police say the ordnance has fallen off their radar, mainly because everyone is complying with it. In fact, only 51 citations were written in 2007 and in 2008 that number fell to 8.
