West Hollywood : Smoking Law Information

The City Council has approved the format for an educational program to inform West Hollywood businessmen about the city smoking ordinance that went into effect May 21. The program will place articles in local business publications, provide information packets for businesses and sponsor a public forum to explain the new law.

The ordinance requires restaurants with more than 35 seats to set aside a minimum of 40% of their seating for non-smoking sections. The law allows smoking in the workplace only in areas physically separated from non-smokers and prohibits smoking in public meetings. The law also prevents employers from retaliating against employees who make formal complaints about smoking violations.

The law will be enforced as complaints are received at City Hall; enforcement officers will be assigned to investigate all smoking complaints. The educational campaign will be coordinated by Paul Koretz, aide to Councilman Alan Viterbi, who co-sponsored the ordinance with Mayor John Heilman.