Smoking will be banned in public spaces, private businesses and city parks in Conroe beginning Monday, and violators will face a $500 fine.

Conroe enacted one of the most comprehensive smoking bans in the Houston area, which prohibits indoor smoking in almost all places in the city and limits outdoors smoking within 20 feet of entrances and windows. The new law takes effect March 1.

“It has been passed and goes into effect March 1,” said Mayor Webb Melder. “We expect people to abide by the ordinance.”

The only businesses exempt from the ban include retail tobacco stores, private clubs, theatrical performances and bingo hall that provide a separate area for non-smokers. Smoking is allowed on outdoor patios of bars.

Bar owners in the community have twice tried unsuccessfully to overturn the new ordinance or to exempt bars from the smoking ban. Last year, they mounted a petition drive to overturn the ordinance, but did not get enough valid signatures from Conroe residents.

Last month, a group representing bars petitioned Conroe City Council to exclude their establishments from the ordinance, saying it could drive them out of business. The council did not act on their request.

“I do believe it will be effective,” said Conroe City Attorney Marcus Winberry. “I fully expect they will want to comply.”

The city does not plan any special enforcement action on the no smoking policy, said City Manager Jerry McGuire. Instead, it will be an item included during routine inspections by the fire department department for fire safety, police during regular calls and code enforcement investigating violations. Violations can only be issued by the police department.

“There are no inspections solely and specifically for the ordinance,” Winberry said.

The Conroe City Council initially adopted a no smoking law in August 2009, later adding businesses to the ban. The city provided six months for businesses to comply with the new provisions.

Under the new law, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed public spaces in Conroe. It also is banned in public and private places of employment. The ban is also in effect in city parks, outdoor arenas, stadiums, amphitheaters and within 20 feet of outdoor gathering places and window and doors.

New Smoking Ban in Conroe

A new comprehensive smoking ban takes effect in Conroe on March 1, and all violators are subject to a $500 fine. Following are the key provisions of the new ordinance.
• Smoking is prohibited in all enclosed, public places in Conroe including banks, bars, bowling alleys, day care facilities, convention facilities, public and private schools, health care facilities, hotels and motels, commons areas in multi-family housing or public office building, restaurants, theaters and retail stores.
• Smoking is banned in public and private place of employment, including work areas, private offices, employee lounges and breakrooms, auditoriums, restrooms, conference and meeting rooms, classrooms, employee cafeterias and health centers, hallways, elevators and stairs.
• Smoking is prohibited in city parks, outdoor arenas, stadiums, amphitheaters and outside within 20 feet of bleachers, bus stops, playgrounds, service lines, and outdoor seats. Smoking is also banned within 20 feet of a door, operable window or ventilation system in a building subject to the smoking ban.
• Smoking is allowed on outdoor patios of bars and several businesses are exempt from the law, including retail tobacco stores, private clubs, theatrical performances and bingo halls that provide a separate area for non-smokers.
Source: Conroe City Council.