Non-Smoking Airport Areas Pushed by Picus
City Councilwoman Joy Picus introduced a motion Friday to establish non-smoking sections in the waiting areas of city-owned airports.
Picus’ proposal would apply to Los Angeles International Airport, Van Nuys Airport and Ontario International Airport, said her press aide, Susan Pasternak.
Picus, a nonsmoker, said she proposed the measure because she had trouble finding a smoke-free area while waiting for a flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco several weeks ago.
“I changed my seat six times because people were blowing in my face,” Picus said. “It is a constant irritation that triggered doing something.”
In April the council passed an ordinance requiring non-smoking areas in workplaces and certain designated areas, including company elevators, medical facilities and restrooms.
“The current ordinance doesn’t address itself specifically to lounges or waiting areas,” Deputy City Atty. Bruce Coplen said. “It only covers areas where there are employees.”
At airports, the anti-smoking ordinance has been enforced at employee work stations such as ticket counters and security checkpoints, Coplen said.
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