MOORPARK : Council to Consider Wide Smoking Ban

The Moorpark City Council tonight will consider banning smoking from nearly all public places.

“I think the time has come that we as public officials begin to be aware of the seriousness of secondhand smoke and do something to protect the health and welfare of our citizens,” said Mayor Paul Lawrason, who supports the ordinance.

“There are a lot of overwhelming studies out there that tell us that (cigarette smoke) is damaging and can lead to all kinds of health problems and death,” Lawrason said.

The proposed ordinance precludes smoking in restaurants, with the exception of outdoor seating areas, and bans lighting up in offices, classrooms and other enclosed areas.

Francis Okyere, president of the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce, said he would urge the council to hold off on adopting a local law and instead push for a countywide ordinance that would not disadvantage Moorpark merchants.

“Our position is that we want this city to look at a wider area, to move for a coordinated effort,” Okyere said.

“If they want to do it, they should coordinate with the county and go for a countywide ban. Then we won’t have customer flight.”

Lawrason said he would have no problem following the chamber’s suggestion.

“I would be happy to take this draft ordinance to the Assn. of Ventura County Cities and suggest that we uniformly adopt it or try to work it at the county level,” Lawrason said.

“That would be fine with me. I just think that an ordinance needs to be in place.”

The council will consider the ordinance at its regular meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 799 Moorpark Ave.