The State - News from June 24, 1987

San Francisco supervisors adopted an ordinance requiring restaurants to offer non-smoking areas to customers on demand, but it does not force restaurateurs to set aside a no-smoking section. “The general membership is really quite pleased that it is as flexible a law as it is,” said Mildred Howie of the Golden Gate Restaurant Assn. “It’s a very common-sense law.” The supervisors voted 9 to 0 to compel restaurant managers to allocate enough seating to meet the demands of both smokers and non-smokers. The proposed law, which awaits Mayor Dianne Feinstein’s signature, applies to all indoor eating establishments, including coffee shops, snack bars and sandwich stands. The ordinance also would prohibit smoking in restaurant lobbies, waiting areas and restrooms. It requires a restaurant maitre d’ or manager to inform patrons that a non-smoking area is available.