Moorpark Moves to Snuff Out Smoking : City Council: Ordinance that would create a virtual smoke-free zone wins support. Final adoption will be considered June 16.

Moorpark council members have unanimously backed an ordinance that will turn the city of 26,000 into a virtual smoke-free zone, making it illegal to light up in restaurants, offices and all other indoor areas except bars.

After nearly two hours of testimony overwhelmingly in favor of the smoking ban, each councilman on Wednesday echoed the public support and instructed city staff to make minor wording changes in the ordinance before final adoption is considered June 16.

“I think that the fundamental right of government is the protection of its citizens,” Councilman Pat Hunter said. “It’s with a great deal of joy that I enthusiastically support this ordinance.”

While Hunter and other council members had spoken in favor of the tough restrictions well before the meeting, Councilman Scott Montgomery--the lone smoker on the council--had been reluctant to discuss the matter before taking his seat.

“I am the one who has been fairly silent on this and maybe it’s time I spoke,” said Montgomery, a smoker for 22 years. “I’m going to support this nonsmoking ordinance. We have some very technical things to work out. But it’s the right thing to do.”

Citing the health hazards of secondhand smoke, Mayor Paul Lawrason had pushed the council to approve the law. The council discussed the proposal at its April 21 meeting but deferred action until every Moorpark business was mailed an invitation to Wednesday’s public hearing.

“I’m very gratified, I’m pleased,” Lawrason said Thursday of the action. “I thought I saw us headed in this direction from the beginning. As we had discussions and listened to the public and talked amongst ourselves, it became evident that we are doing what we should be doing.”

The decision thrilled Nan Waltman, a senior health educator with Ventura County Public Health, who had lobbied the council to be the first in the county to adopt such an ordinance.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Waltman said. “I’m just really impressed with this council. This is a wonderful, strong message they’re sending to the other jurisdictions in the county.”

Waltman said a group of anti-smoking advocates called the Smoking Action Coalition will make sure other cities get the message.

Once the Moorpark ordinance is adopted, Waltman said, it will be used to lobby other cities to follow.

Also applauding the council’s action was Fred Bish, chairman of the coalition, which represents a joint effort of the Ventura County Medical Assn., American Heart Assn., American Lung Assn. and American Cancer Society.

The coalition was formed four years ago and successfully lobbied cities and the county to adopt the first generation of anti-smoking ordinances, which set aside portions of restaurants for nonsmoking patrons and banned smoking in public buildings.

“I think this is a good ordinance that we will use now as a prototype for ordinances that other cities in Ventura County can give consideration to,” Bish said. “It’s a good place to start.”

But not everyone celebrated the ban.

Moorpark resident Connie Volke was the most outspoken smoking advocate during Wednesday’s meeting, threatening to move if the council dictates where she can light up.

“I am an American citizen and I believe everyone has a right to live their lives the way they feel,” Volke said. “What do we have a flag for? What do we have a country for? Why did they throw the tea in Boston Harbor?”

The owners of two Moorpark bars expressed concern over how the new restrictions will apply to food-service areas.

The owners were assured that a council subcommittee will meet with them about their concerns before the June 16 City Council meeting.