THOUSAND OAKS : Council to Consider New Smoking Law

Following other cities in the county, the Thousand Oaks City Council on Tuesday will consider initiating a new law to tighten restrictions on lighting up cigarettes in public places.

The city’s current ordinance prohibits smoking in all enclosed public places, including retail stores, public transit, restrooms and most areas in health clinics and hospitals.

However, restaurants are permitted to reserve up to 50% of their seating capacity for smokers, as are public transit waiting rooms. Convention halls and cultural facilities, including libraries, museums and performance halls, are exempt from the current no-smoking rule.

In an effort to eliminate these loopholes, Mayor Judy Lazar has asked the council to consider a stricter smoking ordinance.

As a model, she cited the city of Moorpark’s recently adopted laws prohibiting smoking in any public place or work site, except tobacco stores and some hotel rooms.

Private residences are not affected.

In reviewing the proposed crackdown, Councilman Frank Schillo said he can sympathize with both sides. “We don’t want to do things that would adversely affect the business community, but there’s also a health issue,” Schillo said. “It’s a real trade-off.”

One community activist vowed to push for new restrictions on smoking, despite expected opposition from the business lobby.

“Apart from the whole issue of second-hand smoke, we’re setting a bad example for our children,” said Winifred Meiser, who runs an anti-smoking campaign locally. “It’s really important that the city discuss this issue.”