City Hall would like to tell you all about the city's new smoking ordinance -- so, if nothing else, you can't say you wasn't warned before enforcement officers hand you that $200 ticket upon lighting up. Hence, this press release that just landed in our in-box:
DALLAS - The City of Dallas will host public forums on February 17 and March 12 to discuss revisions to the City's smoking ordinance, designed to create healthy, smoke-free public places and workplaces in Dallas. Both public forums will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the City Place Conference Center, 2711 N. Haskell Ave., #100.
Any person found to be violating the new ordinance, which takes effect April 10, 2009, could receive a citation and a $200 fine per offense. The modifications to the ordinance expand the areas where smoking is not allowed and increase the accountability of businesses to adhere to the ordinance and maintain smoke-free establishments. Business establishments are also required to remove all ashtrays from non-smoking areas and provide designated signage.
