August 3rd, 2011
San Marcos council snuffs out public smoking ban

San Marcos Councilmember Chris Jones on Aug. 2, speaking of his opposition to the proposed non-binding referendum on public smoking. PHOTO by SEAN BATURA

by SEAN BATURA

In a surprise turnabout, San Marcos city councilmembers voted 4-3 against asking November general election voters whether the city should ban smoking in restaurants, bars and other public places.

On July 5, five out of seven councilmembers expressed support for — or did not speak out against — a non-binding ballot proposition on public smoking and authorized city staff to hold public meetings and develop ballot language for the proposition. But by Tuesday, councilmembers Chris Jones and Shane Scott said they were convinced that the proposed ban shouldn’t go forward this year for a range of reasons that include fears a ban would hurt businesses during an recession.

Responding to Mayor Daniel Guerrero’s assertion that adverse affects on business would be temporary at worst, Jones said, “We’re in a down economy. Accepting a four month hurt is not something that I, as one council member, am willing to do.”

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