LA PALMA : Measure to Rein In Tobacco Put on Hold

It’s not up in smoke, but a proposed city ordinance controlling tobacco products is nonetheless back in the carton.

The City Council Tuesday night unanimously voted to defer action on the ordinance until after the Nov. 8 election. Some on the council said uncertainty about a statewide initiative, Proposition 188, figured in their decision.

Proposition 188, supported by the tobacco industry, would overturn both the recently passed state law regulating smoking and would also negate all existing city ordinances controlling tobacco products.

Councilman Larry A. Herman said that until voters decide the fate of Proposition 188, the long-range ability of cities to regulate smoking is uncertain. “We’re in a kind of limbo,” Herman said. “We don’t know what the future holds.”

Councilwoman Eva G. Miner, who introduced the anti-smoking ordinance, was among those voting to delay action. But later, in an interview, she said she voted to defer the ordinance only because she saw no support for immediate passage.

“We can always bring this ordinance back for action,” she said. “In the meantime, we’re going to work in La Palma to educate people about Proposition 188 and to urge them to vote against it.”

Miner’s proposed anti-smoking ordinance, among other things, would outlaw cigarette vending machines. She and other anti-smoking advocates said that juveniles have easy access to vending machines and thus can illegally purchase cigarettes.

Councilman Duane F. Schuster told the council Tuesday night, however, that he had made a citywide survey and found only one business that has a cigarette vending machine.

Maybe others don’t have vending machines now, Miner retorted, “but they could in the future.”

No one in the audience at the meeting spoke against the proposed anti-smoking ordinance. Phillip J. Falcetti, a specialist with the Orange County Health Care Agency, urged the council to pass a city ordinance that controls the machines. Falcetti said juvenile health is in danger because of easy access to cigarettes.