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Local advocates urge action after change to Laredo's no‑smoking ordinance
Summary
A coalition member said the city altered a longstanding no‑smoking ordinance to allow cigar‑lounge arrangements; members urged coalition partners to sign advocacy letters to the mayor and city council to oppose weakening the rule.
Coalition members raised alarm after a recent change to Laredo's no‑smoking ordinance that, according to speakers, removed language and created an opening for cigar lounges and other exemptions.
A coalition member identified in the transcript as Miss Jimenez said the no‑smoking ordinance had been in place for more than 20 years and that the recent revision removed the term "bar," allowing new cigar‑lounge scenarios. Jimenez urged members to sign advocacy letters to the mayor and city council and said coalition staff would circulate materials for community members to send to elected officials.
Why it matters: Speakers argued that weakening the ordinance could undermine school and youth prevention efforts by normalizing smoke in public places and possibly enabling more venues to open that include alcohol and indoor smoking. Members described a prior city council meeting where 19 people spoke against the change.
Next steps: Coalition members agreed to collect signatures for advocacy letters and to circulate talking points and materials to partners; the chair asked to receive the link and supporting materials for distribution.
