LONG BEACH : Expanded Smoking Ban Wins Preliminary OK

The City Council has given preliminary approval to an ordinance that would ban smoking in restaurants and require that two-thirds of the seating in bars and outdoor eating areas be reserved for nonsmokers.

The council voted 8 to 0 in favor of the measure Tuesday and is expected to give final approval next week. The ordinance, which requires a minimum $50 fine for violations, would take effect 30 days later. It would toughen the city’s law that bans smoking in municipal buildings and most private offices but allows smoking in restaurants and other public places.

In addition to indoor restaurants, cafeterias, bowling alleys, bingo parlors, hair salons, hotel lobbies and other public places would be smoke-free. The law also would ban cigarette machines in areas open to people under 21.