Smoking will be allowed 10 feet from entrance of an enclosed place of employment, at tobacco specialty retail stores and public streets and sidewalks. The ordinance will not go into affect until some time after the final reading of the ordinance has been approved, and Gonzalez said there would be an educational phase for the public to become aware of the ordinance.

Several members of the public spoke in favor of the ordinance and there were no comments against it. Mayor Betty Flores submitted letters from a few dozen doctors who approved of the ordinance.

Walter Alvarez said he moved to Laredo about 6 months ago and has witnessed bans in Lubbock, Arlington and El Paso. Alvarez said a study in El Paso has shown there was no affect on the revenues of local establishments because of the ban. "I really want all of us to put our concern for health above the concern for local business profits," Alvarez said.

Sandra Hernandez, of Doctors Hospital, said she worries about her son and other children with asthma going to restaurants that allow smoking. "Children can have an asthma attack on the spot," Hernandez said. "Please do what you can."

Patricia Keck, of the Laredo Independent School District Health Services Department, agreed with Hernandez and said asthma is the primary reason for a smoking ban. "Asthma is the No. 1 cause for school absenteeism," Keck said.

Local attorney George Garcia said that the number of people smoking has been on the decrease, and the few smokers should not dictate what the rest of the public does. "People who go to bars are still going to go to bars," Garcia said.

Councilman Gene Belmares later agreed, saying, "I think people go to bars because that's an avenue of entertainment. They choose to go there because that's where their friends are." Belmares was greeted with applause when he added that nobody who goes there says, "I like the smoke in there." Flores had to bang the gavel so that the council could resume discussion. Belmares did say he'd prefer the distance from the front door be shortened from 15 feet to 5 feet, but Councilman Juan Ramirez said he wouldn't go for that. Ramirez said he would compromise with a 10-foot limit.

Councilman Garcia said he was against a total ban because kids do not go into bars, and people have the choice to go into those types of places. Councilman John Galo said he was still concerned about infringing on the community's rights, but he would suppport either a total ban or no ban at all - nothing in between. Belmares, citing other protective laws, such as seat belts, responded that, "it always comes down to people won't accept responsibility for themselves so government has had to step in."

The ordinance states that a proprietor or any person in control of a public place who fails to comply with the ordinance will be subject to a fine of up to $200 for each day the violation continues and suspension or revocation of any license or permit issued by the city for up to 30 days.

It also states that any person who knowingly or intentionally smokes in an area where smoking is prohibited to will be subject to a maximum fine of $200 and a minimum fine of $50. For the second offense the range increases to $200-$500; and on the third offense, the person could be fined up to $1,000.