LOS ALAMITOS : City Delays Vote on Smoking Ban

The City Council has postponed a vote on a proposed anti-smoking ordinance, deciding instead to wait for the outcome of an Assembly bill that would ban smoking in restaurants and virtually all enclosed places of employment in the state.

The bill, passed by the state Legislature last week, is awaiting Gov. Pete Wilson’s signature.

If Wilson signs the bill, it “would accomplish what we envisioned the ordinance would do,” and makes the proposed ordinance unnecessary, City Manager Robert C. Dunek said.

The proposed city ordinance would allow smoking and use of tobacco products only in Rooms A and B at the Community Center on Oak Street during parties, bingo games, dance classes and other activities. The council made its decision to postpone a vote at its meeting on Monday.

Dunek said the Assembly bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Terry B. Friedman (D-Brentwood), allows smoking in parts of hotel lobbies and bars and in banquet and meeting rooms.

If Wilson does not sign the bill, the council will likely pass the proposed city ordinance on July 25, Dunek said.

The ordinance prohibits smoking in offices, rooms, chambers, dining areas, hallways and meeting places of buildings, and vehicles that the city owns or leases. Smoking in private offices, which was allowed in the past, also would no longer be permitted under the ordinance.