BUENA PARK : Council to Consider Curbs on Smoking

Concerned about secondhand smoke, the City Council is considering writing an ordinance limiting where people can smoke.

According to officials, that ordinance could do anything from limiting smoking at City Hall to restricting smoking in public places, restaurants and workplaces.

The issue was raised by members of a local union, who approached the city after their employer refused to ban smoking in the workplace.

“We are concerned with the pollutants in the air,” said Carol Smith, who is coordinating the effort along with Debra Holmer and Maria Estenger.

Mayor Donald L. Bone said that the council will study smoking ordinances adopted by other cities in deciding how the issue should be handled in Buena Park.

Bone said he didn’t have any reservations about limiting smoking in public places, but he is concerned about restrictions on local businesses.

“In the workplace I am very hesitant to see the government stepping in and dictating what the businesses can do,” Bone said.

One solution would be to adopt an ordinance similar to Irvine’s, which requires each workplace to adopt its own smoking policy, Bone said.

Several large companies in Buena Park, including Nabisco, Kraft and Knott’s Berry Farm, do not have smoking restrictions. However, both Nabisco and Kraft prohibit smoking in the production plants, and Knott’s bans smoking in public areas.

Fred Sica, director of the Buena Park Chamber of Commerce, said that he will be working closely with the city to find an equitable solution for both businesses and their employees.

“There has to be a ground where all involved can eventually say that this is fair,” Sica said.

Kirk Wilks, director of communications for the American Cancer Society, said 13 of the 29 cities in Orange County have already enacted some type of smoking restrictions. The ordinances vary from city to city, but many include some type of restriction upon smoking in the workplace, public places and restaurants.

Bone said the council will take several months to develop and vote on a smoking ordinance.