Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Smoking Ban Is Clouded in the Face of Opposition

The fate of a strict smoking ban in restaurants and workplaces has become hazy, with the City Council backing away from a broad ban it had supported last month.

Council members voted 3 to 2 Tuesday to hold two more public meetings on the issue and conduct a survey of restaurant owners about enforcing their own smoking controls.

“Confrontation on this issue is very, very unwise,” said Councilman Carl Boyer, who asked for the additional meetings. “It’s one of those issues that will tear apart the community. One side always loses.”

Santa Clarita’s proposed tobacco control ordinance would prohibit smoking in restaurants, workplaces and enclosed public areas. Bars that generate less than 25% of their income from food sales would be exempted.

The council decision frustrated anti-smoking advocates who thought that the issue was resolved Dec. 14 when the council voted 4 to 1 in favor of the ban.

“I think we’re going back to Square 1. We’re going back to where we were six months ago,” said Councilwoman Jill Klajic, who--joined by Mayor George Pederson--opposed the additional meetings. “We’ve had hearings. We’ve had lots of hearings. Why are we opening it up again?”

One reason was the nearly 200 people who packed the council chambers Tuesday night. It was the first time that discussion of the smoking ban had drawn a large crowd.

Restaurant owners complained that a ban would drive customers out of Santa Clarita and into nearby unincorporated areas where patrons could smoke without restrictions.

Others called the legislation intrusive.

“Why aren’t we going to restaurants and telling people they can’t serve fatty food because it’s bad for people?” one restaurant owner said.

Although Los Angeles and dozens of other cities in the state have smoking controls, the one proposed by Santa Clarita is broader than most. Banks, Laundromats, shopping centers, theaters, restaurants and retail stores are among the establishments covered by the proposal.

City officials say adoption of smoking controls in other nearby cities, most notably Los Angeles, brought the debate into Santa Clarita.

“In six years, I don’t think I got one complaint about smoking in Santa Clarita until Los Angeles passed its ordinance,” said Councilwoman Jan Heidt, who prefers to allow businesses to make their own rules about smoking.

Supporters of the strong smoking controls say the issue is one of health rather than personal freedom.

“People don’t have the right to interfere with the health of another person,” said Donna Pugh, the Canyon Country resident who began the anti-smoking drive last year.

“I don’t think it’s a smokers versus nonsmokers issue,” Klajic said. “I certainly don’t think it has anything to do with your rights. It’s a health issue.”

Smoke Out Areas where smoking is restricted in and around the San Fernando Valley:

Agoura Hills: Most restaurants and public places.

Calabasas: Most restaurants and public places.

Burbank: Places of general assembly, such as theaters, and some City Hall offices.

Glendale: A proposed ban on restaurant smoking was shot down by business opposition several years ago.

Lancaster: City buildings and most enclosed public places.

Los Angeles: Hospitals, police stations, elevators, theaters, City Hall and most restaurants.

Palmdale: Buses, cabs and most enclosed public places.

Santa Clarita: City Council says it will survey restaurant owners and hold two more public meetings before making a decision on a proposed smoking ban.

San Fernando: City Council is considering a resolution that would limit smoking in restaurants.

Westlake Village: Smoking banned in restaurants, workplaces, hospitals and recreation areas.

Sources: city governments