Story Created:
Dec 5, 2007 at 5:29 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Dec 5, 2007 at 5:29 PM CDT
AUSTIN (AP) - The Texas Lottery Commission is considering a ban on selling tickets in stores that allow smoking.
A recent attorney general's opinion suggested the practice could open the state to civil rights lawsuits.
Anti-smoking and civil rights advocates urged the commission today to re-evaluate how it licenses vendors and to not allow smoking where tickets are sold.
They are concerned that secondhand smoke prevents people with disabilities or illnesses related to smoke from buying tickets at some locations.
The issue has been smoldering since 2006 when 77-year-old Billy Williams, of Lewisville, complained to lottery officials. Williams says he suffered an asthma attack after buying a lottery ticket at a store in Whitney that allowed smoking.
Lottery officials said the Americans with Disabilities Act does not bar sales at smoking establishments and invited Williams to buy tickets at the 58 retailers in the Lewisville area.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
AP-NY-12-05-07 1646EST
