High marks for efforts against tobacco

Glendale was one of 13 California cities to get the highest marks from the American Lung Assn. for working to control the use and sale of tobacco products during the past year.

The city earned an “A” grade — for the sixth year in a row — for excelling in a number of categories such as enforcing smoke-free areas in recreational areas, common areas and at public events, according to the report.

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Two years ago, City Council members outlawed smoking in all new multiunit, residential buildings.

With the exception of streets and sidewalks, smoking is banned on all city property, including parks and libraries. Smoking is no longer allowed in outdoor dining areas of restaurants.

The only step left is to have 100% smoke-free housing in Glendale, said Amanda Knitter, an advocacy manager for the association.

“That’s really the only place... that they have room for growth,” she said. “They’re very close to the highest [score] that you can get.”

City Manager Scott Ochoa pointed to the city’s goals on tobacco control.

“The city of Glendale has been a leader in the arena of smoking prevention,” he said. “Partially due to the heavy presence of the hospitals in our community, partially due to the leadership of the council, we have sustained a balance between public health and personal freedoms.”

Another element of the score was curbing the sale of tobacco products to minors.

In 2014, the city adopted higher fees for issuing tobacco retail licenses, upping the cost from $332 to $555.85.

“We applaud [Glendale] for taking initiative and really being leaders across the state,” Knitter said. “We hope that they continue to be on the cutting edge.”

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Arin Mikailian, arin.mikailian@latimes.com

Twitter: @ArinMikailian