LOS ANGELES : Restaurateurs Appeal for Easing of Smoking Ban

Complaining that Los Angeles’ strict anti-smoking ordinance is hurting their business, about a dozen restaurateurs, from the most renowned to the little-known, appealed to Mayor Richard Riordan and City Council members Tuesday to lessen the restrictions.

The restaurant owners met at Citrus restaurant on Melrose Avenue to sign a letter asking city officials to give eating establishments some relief from the smoking ban, which went into effect Aug. 2.

Exempt from the ban are outdoor eating areas, private clubs, bars and bar portions of restaurants. Owners of such restaurants as Rex Il Ristorante, Sisley Italian Kitchen and Pinot Bistro said their business has dropped by 10% to 15%.

“The smokers we used to see frequently we just don’t see anymore,” said Christine Splichal, the owner of Pinot Bistro in Studio City and Patina restaurant on Melrose Avenue. “We’ve lost our regular clientele. That’s what bothers us the most.”

But Riordan said he is opposed to softening the ban.

“The law has only been in effect for a short amount of time,” he said.

“Naturally where there are changes people need time to adjust. The health precautions that the council fought long and hard for should be given more of a chance.”