Maia Wintrob

The no-smoking ban in public places has been in effect in San Marcos for about five months. Patrons of some local businesses where smoking used to be allowed are still adjusting to the change. Maia Wintrob has more on the story.

The San Marcos City Council passed a smoking ban last October, and it went into effect in June. Alyssa Guiliani, the General Manager of Bobcat Nation Bar and Grill, says the ban has actually help improve business.
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The smoking ban applies not only to tobacco products but also e-cigarettes and vaporizers. Owner of the Black Rabbit Saloon, James Wilson, says the flow of customers remains about the same as before.
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English Student Farron Johnson disagrees. Johnson says owners of bars and restaurants should NOT be told what to do -- after all, they own the property.
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But advertising major Eric Arredondo says the smoking ban is great for the city.
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Some property owners obtained permits to build outdoor smoking areas. If they post such a permit at their businesses, they have until January 1st before they have to go smoke-free indoors. If they DON'T have the permit and a customer is caught smoking indoors, then fines can be issued costing the owner at least 200-dollars. The fines go up for any subsequent offense. For Bobcat Update, I'm Maia Wintrob.