BUSINESS : 2 More Malls Ban Smoking

Saying they are reacting to strong public sentiment against smoking indoors, managers of the Plaza at West Covina and Eastland Shopping Center, also in West Covina, began a ban Friday on smoking in their malls.

Last year, many Southland shopping centers, including Plaza competitors Montclair Plaza and Brea Mall, adopted no-smoking policies for all indoor areas.

“It’s our No. 1 complaint: that there’s so much smoke in the mall,” said Tracey Gotsis, marketing director of the Plaza, which is owned by St. Louis-based CenterMark Properties, which also owns Eastland.

Santa Anita Fashion Park and Plaza Pasadena already ban smoking.