Tustin : City Votes Smoking Ban in All Places of Work

After heated debate, the City Council voted Monday night to support the ranks of non-smokers by banning smoking in public and private workplaces except for designated areas.

The council voted 4 to 1 for the ban. Mayor Frank Greinke cast a “no” vote because he said he opposed government intrusion into people’s private lives.

The proposed ordinance is similar to laws recently passed in Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Yorba Linda that also extend the ban into the private workplace. Irvine and Brea also considered such proposals but adopted bans in public areas only.

Greinke said he has received 30 to 40 typewritten letters, about 20 notes, a large number of phone calls and several hand-delivered packages from groups on either side of the issue. “There’s almost an evangelical fervor about it,” he said. “I’ve had more interest in this issue than any other since I’ve been on the council.”

Greinke, a non-smoker, said he nevertheless opposes the ordinance. “I think it’s an intrusion on the individual rights of businesses and property owners,” he said. “Once we go into businesses, before you know it we’ll be banning it in homes.”

Tustin’s ordinance prohibits smoking in such places as public agencies, restaurants, offices and stores but also allows for designated smoking areas. However, those areas must be made smoke-secure with the use of “existing physical barriers and ventilation systems,” said Royleen White, director of community and administrative services.

The ordinance will take effect 30 days after a second reading and adoption action scheduled for Nov. 4. However, White said the workplace provisions will not take effect until Jan. 1, 1986.

White, who quit smoking about a year ago, said the law imposes penalties of up to $100 for violations but she doesn’t expect to have to hand out any fines and would attempt to handle any complaints by telephone negotiations. “We’re hoping it will work much the same as it has in other cities, where public education did the trick,” she said.

She said the city received several letters from non-smokers who support the ban and only one in opposition--from the board of the Chamber of Commerce. “The board feels very strongly that businesses should be able to police themselves,” said chamber executive director Trudy Wilson.