Lakewood : Smoking Choice Law Passed

The Lakewood City Council on Tuesday night passed a long-awaited no-smoking law that business leaders have praised because it contains a provision that allows business owners to voluntarily choose a smoking restriction for their establishments or reject one altogether.

The ordinance, first proposed in February, has been criticized by some anti-smoking activists because it does not restrict smoking in most public places. They complained that it does not protect the rights of non-smokers to be free of secondary smoke.

But during a public hearing on the new law, City Atty. John Todd, who drafted the regulation, said the ordinance is tough because all owners of commercial, public, educational and religious buildings are required to post one of three signs: Smoking Allowed, Smoking in Designated Areas Only or No Smoking. The ordinance also restricts public smoking in all city-owned facilities.

The law goes into effect Oct. 28, city spokesman James Barnes said. He added, however, that the businesses do not have to decide on a smoking policy until Dec. 31.