Chino Hills to Delay Vote on Smoking Ban : Tobacco: New city’s ordinance would make all enclosed buildings except homes smoke-free. Critics see a loss of business and infringement on freedom.

The City Council of this mushrooming suburb of 51,000 people postponed a vote late Tuesday on a proposed smoking control ordinance described as one of the most comprehensive in the nation.

After hearing comment from 57 speakers, the council voted unanimously to shelve the ordinance for up to 45 days.

In the meantime, a two-member committee will meet with business owners to find a “politically acceptable compromise,” in the words of Mayor Pro Tem Jim Thalman. Thalman and Councilman Gary G. Larson were named to the panel.

The ordinance that went before the council included a ban on smoking in all enclosed buildings except homes and eliminates all tobacco vending equipment (there were fewer than 10 machines in town). Hotels and motels are the lone exemption to the law, but there aren’t any in the city.

During its first reading last month, the ordinance was approved 4-1, with the lone dissenter, Thalman, the only smoker on the five-member council. After second-reading approvals, ordinances become law in 30 days.

The ordinance would be “a milestone victory for the rights of non-smokers, particularly children,” said Mayor Gwenn Norton-Perry. She said it was the council’s job to “stand up for the health of our residents and take the lead on this issue.”

Critics repeated two arguments: it would drive away business and regulate individual freedom. “We opposed it on the ground of more government regulation and suggested a voluntary program,” said Tone La Breche, executive vice president of the Chamber of the Chino Valley.

“We are concerned about business,” he said. “We don’t counter the health issue. That’s kind of hard to argue. ... It’s an issue people should be allowed to decide for themselves.”

Brett Benson, a teacher who lives in Chino Hills, and four others started the smoking ban campaign by forming a group called Chino Hills Smokefree in ’93.

“I’m doing this for my kids. I grew up with parents who smoked all the time. I never had a cigarette in my mouth but I spent years smoking,” he said.