Baldwin Park Council Introduces Ban on Smoking

The City Council has introduced an ordinance that would ban smoking in public areas of city buildings such as the council chamber, the City Hall lobby, restrooms and hallways.

The proposed ordinance is similar to smoking bans adopted in Alhambra, Duarte, Pasadena and Los Angeles. But unlike ordinances in other communities, the plan introduced by the council last Wednesday would not regulate smoking in restaurants and other private businesses.

The proposed ban would expand the number of places where smoking restrictions are in force. Smoking is prohibited in the city’s Dial-a-Ride vehicles, senior center and community center.

The council also directed staff to draft a smoking policy for the city’s 177 employees and to discuss details of that policy with city employee unions.