Supervisors Will Consider Smoking Ban for Many Sites : Health: Measure would be in effect at enclosed public places in unincorporated areas. Vicky Howard calls proposal ‘anti-business.’

Citing the dangers of secondhand smoke, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday will consider banning smoking in restaurants and many other public places in the county’s unincorporated areas.

If the supervisors adopt the ordinance--proposed by Supervisor Maria E. VanderKolk--the county will join the cities of Moorpark and Thousand Oaks in placing strict curbs on smoking at enclosed public places.

Although two of VanderKolk’s colleagues said they plan to support the measure, Supervisor Vicky Howard called the proposed ordinance “anti-business.”

“At this point, I cannot support the 100% smoking ban,” Howard said. “We have to be realistic about business.”

VanderKolk said she believes that the proposed ordinance is a bold step in protecting the health of nonsmoking residents.

“EPA scientists have concluded that thousands of nonsmokers die each year in the United States as a result of inhaling secondhand smoke,” VanderKolk said.

VanderKolk’s grandfather, a smoker, died of lung cancer, she said.

“I feel real strong about this. From a professional standpoint, it’s the right thing to do and the right time to do it.”

In June, Moorpark became the first city in the county to declare all public places--with the exception of bars--off-limits to smokers. VanderKolk’s proposal would also exempt bars.

Several weeks ago, Thousand Oaks adopted a similar ordinance banning smoking in restaurants and some bars.

The city of Ojai is also considering such a measure.

Although the county already has an ordinance prohibiting smoking in many enclosed public places--such as auditoriums, classrooms and elevators--VanderKolk said she does not believe that the restrictions are tough enough.

Under VanderKolk’s proposal, the county would also prohibit smoking at bingo games and hotel conference rooms when they are open to the public.

Smokers would also be prohibited from lighting up in waiting areas of transportation depots and sports arenas.

“I think nonsmokers have become a clear majority in our society and they are very resentful about the smoke,” VanderKolk said. “I’m really, really pleased to see this happening all over the place. Frankly, I wish I had done it before.”

So far, Supervisors John K. Flynn and Maggie Kildee said they were considering voting in favor of VanderKolk’s proposal.

“We’ve got to produce a clean environment,” Flynn said.

But the idea is receiving a mixed response from restaurant owners.

Gerry Hassenflug, owner of the Busy Oak Diner in Oak View, said the ban would severely hurt her business.

“We have a lot of smokers that come in here,” Hassenflug said. “They come in here because they are welcome. If they cannot smoke here, they’ll stay at home.”

She said she believes that smokers are being treated like second-class citizens.

“I don’t stick them in a corner by the kitchen and treat them like dirt,” she said.

However, Bob Dueysen, owner of The Arch Restaurant on California 150, said he would welcome the ban.

“It makes a nicer restaurant and a nicer place to eat,” he said.