HUNTINGTON BEACH : Restaurant Smoking Banned by Council

Smoking will not be allowed in restaurants after Jan. 1, 1995, the City Council tentatively agreed this week.

Citing findings of health hazards caused by second-hand cigarette smoke, the council voted Monday to revise a smoking ordinance that will impose a 100% smoking ban in all restaurants.

Currently, restaurants must reserve 25% of space for nonsmokers. This week’s action would require 75% of the space in restaurants be set aside for nonsmokers until the total ban takes effect.

The city is imposing the smoking ban in stages to lessen impact on businesses, according to officials.

The council expected to take a second vote on the ordinance Aug. 2. It is expected to go into effect Sept. 1.

The ordinance also would ban tobacco vending machines throughout the city.

Council member Linda Moulton-Patterson, who pushed for the tougher rules, said she believes minors have access to cigarettes in vending machines and that the new regulation “will protect the children.”

Also, the ordinance bans smoking in all restaurants that have a seating capacity of less then 25 because of the difficulty in dividing small restaurants into smoking and nonsmoking areas, Moulton-Patterson said.

The ban on smoking in small restaurants will be in force when the ordinance takes effect.

Councilmen David Sullivan, Earle Robitaille and Jim Silva voted against the measure.

Sullivan said a total ban might have a harmful impact on the city’s tourist business.

Silva said a total ban could be devastating to some businesses.