This is sure to be controversial, but looks like Houston has
passed a smoking ban in all non-bar restaurants. To that I say: it's a good start.
I welcome anyone to convince me why we shouldn't ban smoking immediately in all indoor public places (besides designated smoking areas). I'm all for everyone's freedom to do what they want, but not when it hurts other people. 2nd-hand smoke definitely hurts others - both in terms of diseases (cancer, etc.) and in terms of basic comfort. Every time I play a gig, I come home reeking of smoke, coughing, etc. No thank you. Let's ban smoking in public places. Let's do it nationwide, so all the people bitching about losing tourism will shut up.
So there.