West Hollywood : Smoking Ban Exemption

Outdoor eating areas were exempted this week from a proposed ban on smoking in restaurants.

The smoking ordinance, which awaits a final vote, gained renewed approval by the West Hollywood City Council after its sponsor noticed the outdoor exemption was missing from a previous version.

By exempting outdoor areas, the ban would match one recently enacted in Los Angeles and another expected soon in Santa Monica, said Councilman Paul Koretz, who sponsored the West Hollywood measure.

Only Mayor Sal Guarriello opposed the ban.

The West Hollywood law was designed as part of a regional ban, but the council might not wait for reluctant Beverly Hills to join in.

Opponents urged West Hollywood to wait until two competing state bills are taken up in Sacramento. One would bar smoking in restaurants statewide. The other, backed by the tobacco lobby, would limit the cities’ power to ban smoking.