Anti-Cigarette Decisions and Smoking Bans
In as much as smoking has become the crime of the decade, I felt compelled to attend the recent farce known as a special meeting of the Environmental Affairs Committee chaired by Los Angeles Councilman Marvin Braude (Part B, Aug. 14).
For the first 45 minutes, those in favor of Braude’s motion to ban smoking in all Los Angeles restaurants were allowed to parade to the microphone. All of them had obviously studied their scripts. We had two doctors with inconclusive results of studies. We even had a disabled man in a wheelchair and a very young boy. No theatrical gimmick was spared.
Those against his proposed ordinance were allowed only 30 minutes in which to speak. Representatives of such landmark restaurants as Taix and Little Joe’s, and the New Otani Hotel spoke. They stated that the ordinance would result in a decrease in revenues and at a time of recession, that it would be bad for tourism. Their feelings seemed to be disregarded.
Braude appeared very self-satisfied during the proceedings. And why not? He was getting his way.
CURTIS COMPTON
Los Angeles
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