Release Date: May 14, 2010
 Office of District 10 Councilman John G. Clamp: 207-7276

Councilman John Clamp calls on City Council to preserve freedom of choice and protect small business

Councilman John Clamp opposes amending the City's current smoking ordinance. It is his opinion that government should not interfere in private business practices, property rights or personal lifestyle choices.

Currently, the City's smoking ordinance bans smoking in many public places but excludes bar and dining areas in restaurants which are separately enclosed and ventilated, stand alone bars, billiard halls, VFW halls and bingo facilities, among others. In addition, the vast majority of San Antonio restaurants and other businesses have voluntarily chosen to be non-smoking facilities. While some Texas cities have instituted city-wide smoking bans, the Texas State Legislature has not addressed this issue.

"I believe that a total ban on smoking in San Antonio is unnecessary and potentially harmful to small businesses," said Councilman Clamp. "In this economy, we need to work on ways to preserve jobs and make doing business in our city easier. I believe that a complete ban on smoking will put our city at a competitive disadvantage, pushing business development and patrons to other municipalities. A smoking ban should be addressed at the state level. We should let business owners and consumers make their own decisions; we need to let the market work."