WESTLAKE : SIMI VALLEY : Council Balks at Public Smoking Ban
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After nearly two hours of public testimony both for and against a citywide ban on public smoking, the Simi Valley City Council backed away from the ordinance and opted to leave the decision up to individual businesses.
Before reaching its decision, the council considered a staff report outlining the risks of second-hand smoke and the trend toward banning smoking.
But most council members decided the economic risk to restaurants and other business was more real than the health risks associated with second-hand smoke.
“I don’t believe people have rights as smokers or nonsmokers,” said Councilwoman Sandi Webb. “But businesses do have property rights.”
The city’s current smoking policy limits smoking in most public places, but does not prohibit smokers from lighting up in designated areas in restaurants.
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