Bellflower : School Seeks to Exempt Its Bingo From Smoking Law
Attorneys representing St. John Bosco High School have urged Bellflower officials to exempt the school’s bingo games from a strict citywide smoking ban that takes effect March 5.
The City Council in January passed a sweeping ordinance banning smoking in restaurants and enclosed areas where the public congregates. According to the ordinance, places of religious worship would be exempt. The city had considered excluding bingo games from the ordinance, but decided against it, saying such a move would be hypocritical.
Attorney Stephen P. Pezzola wrote to city leaders last week arguing that the bingo games should be exempt because the Catholic high school is a place of religious worship.
“The facilities at St. John Bosco are all places of worship,” Pezzola wrote. “Whether it is the chapel, the gymnasium, the classrooms, the school cafeteria . . . all are primarily used for the religious purposes of St. John Bosco.”
About 70% of the people who attend the school’s bingo games smoke, and many of them would go elsewhere if smoking were prohibited, Pezzola wrote.
Deputy City Administrator Mike Egan said the letter raised some legitimate concerns, and that city officials will consider the request.
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