West Covina : Ban on Smoking Proposed
City Councilwoman Nancy Manners says she wants to clear the air at City Hall. “When the public comes in to do business, they shouldn’t be assaulted by smoke,” Manners said in calling on the city to prohibit cigarette smoking in public areas of municipal buildings.
The city manager’s office is studying the feasibility of such an ordinance and will report to the council in two to three weeks, staff member Steve Wiley said.
Manners said she long has been bothered by cigarette smoke in the council chambers and finally decided to air her views to the council after reading a magazine article about the more than 200 U.S. cities--including Los Angeles, Pasadena and Anaheim--that have passed stringent smoking ordinances in the past two years.
Councilman Robert Bacon said he supports Manners’ idea, but Councilman Forest Tennant has expressed concern that some city employees might quit their jobs rather than quit smoking.
Mayor Chet Shearer has questioned whether smoking at City Hall is a problem and has urged the council to wait until all the facts are in before voting on the matter.
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