HOUSTON -- Houstonians voiced their opinions to city council members Tuesday about a proposed smoking ban that has sparked a heated debate about public health in the Bayou City.

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Group Rallies For Right To Clean Air Council Discusses Ordinance To Keep Cigarettes Out Of Restaurants

The debate over smoking heated up at a rally outside Houston's City Hall held by Houston Communities for Safe Indoor Air as supporters and opponents clashed over the city's proposed ordinance to ban smoking in Houston restaurants.

The anti-smoking group said the rally is to promote safe and clean indoor air while educating the public about the dangers of secondhand smoke. They said they are targeting minority groups -- specifically Hispanics, Asians and African-Americans -- who they say continue to smoke because they might not realize the dangers of smoking.

Houston City Council members spent Tuesday and will spend part of Wednesday discussing the controversial ordinance before voting on the measure. If the council approves it, the ban could go into effect in several weeks.

The ordinance would make it illegal for smokers to smoke inside the dining area of a restaurant. Currently, smokers can light up in designated smoking areas.

But the ordinance would allow smoking in restaurant bars as long as there is good ventilation, which is drawing a mixed reaction from city council members.

"It's not our place to dictate to businesses. The market will dictate what will happen," City Council Member Addie Wiseman said.

"We would like a full ban. Many Houstonians are ready. Four to one, I think Houstonians want smoking eliminated," City Council Member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs said.

Some council members also want the ban to include prohibiting smoking in bars. The current proposal does not target smoking in bars and restaurant bar areas.

The City Council heard from citizens Tuesday afternoon, who said the ordinance is a matter of choosing public health over the rights of smokers.

"I am here on behalf of the thousands of infants and children who have no voice and will be needlessly exposed to these cancer-causing agents and irritants," an ordinance proponent said to city council during pop off.

"I think it's stupid. I've got a right to smoke just like people have the right not to smoke," a citizen opposing the ordinance said.

Some restaurant owners said they are worried that a total smoking ban would hurt their business.

"The smoking ban is only going to antagonize the smokers and the non-smokers," St. Pete's Dancing Marlin spokesman John Zoros said.

The no-smoking ordinance would also include enclosed bus stops. Taxi drivers would have the option of making their cabs smoke-free or not.