MISSION VIEJO : Mayor Again Seeks Ban on Smoking

For the second time in two years, Mayor Robert D. Breton will try to persuade the City Council to pass a ban on smoking in restaurants and workplaces.

Breton’s proposed prohibition on smoking would affect all places of employment in the city. The only exceptions would be nightclubs, bars and outdoor patio areas.

Recent anti-smoking legislation in Sacramento, as well as a similar ordinance passed by Los Angeles this week, convinced Breton to push for the smoking ban.

“With greater awareness of scientifically proven data on the negative impact of secondhand smoke, I think greater numbers of the public just won’t stand for (smoking) in public areas,” Breton said. “Whether or not I have the support of my fellow council members, I think it’s only a matter of time before smoking is 100% illegal in public places.”

Breton had proposed a similar ordinance two years ago that was rejected because a council majority feared the economic impact of a smoking ban on restaurants.

Since then, Laguna Beach has passed an ordinance that will eliminate smoking in restaurants by 1995.

If a complete ban fails to win council approval, Breton is ready to offer a compromise--restricting smoking in 80% of a restaurant’s dining area. The prohibition would reach 100% when all South County cities pass a similar law or within two years, whichever comes first.

“This is a compromise that is undeniably fair to everyone,” Breton said. “A restaurant couldn’t lose customers to other South County restaurants because all of them would have the ban in place.”