OJAI : Council to Decide on Proposed Smoking Law
Smoking will be prohibited in nearly all public areas of Ojai if the City Council goes forward Tuesday with a strict new no-smoking ordinance as expected.
The proposed ordinance, which has been under discussion since August, provides four exceptions to the ban: private residences, home businesses, bars and tobacco stores.
The ordinance specifically lists the types of public places where smoking is prohibited, to include restaurants, libraries, museums, galleries, reception areas and hospitals.
“The City Council wanted it as clear as possible,” City Manager Andrew S. Belknap said.
Belknap said the council was moved to draft the tough ordinance based on new information on the health risks of being around people who are smoking.
“The new evidence linking secondhand smoke with public health risks was the prime driver behind this,” Belknap said.
“It seems like every day there is new evidence linking the two. There is concern for people who may not be able to make a choice about breathing the smoke.”
A public hearing is scheduled at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, which will begin at 7:30 p.m.
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