Ojai Council Stiffens Law on Smoking
Despite the objections of a handful of residents, the Ojai City Council has strengthened a proposed ordinance that would ban smoking in restaurant dining patios as well as city parks and other gathering places.
Although the draft ordinance will not be decided officially until after a public hearing, scheduled for Nov. 23, the council has indicated it will support the anti-smoking law.
“My personal preference is that we ban smoking everywhere,” Councilman James Loebl said at the meeting late Tuesday. “But the reality is we’re trying to modify public behavior.”
Mayor Steve Olsen said he does not smoke, but he recognizes the addiction of those who do. “Since people are going to smoke, we have to allow those individuals . . . an area for smoking,” the mayor said.
Olsen later said he would not support an outright ban on patio smoking. An earlier draft ordinance would have allowed smoking at 25% of outdoor tables at restaurants with at least four outdoor tables.
More than half a dozen residents attended the meeting to object to the proposed smoking ban, contending the law would infringe on their rights.
“It would devastate our business, no doubt about it,” said Cherie Borgaro, part owner of Ojai Valley Bowl.
Borgaro said a sign hangs on the door warning potential customers that smoking is permitted inside the facility.
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