CAMARILLO : ‘Misleading’ Smoking Proposal Condemned

Saying a statewide smoking initiative backed by a cigarette maker was misleading and would serve to nullify local smoking ordinances, the Camarillo City Council has approved a resolution condemning the proposition.

The council voted 4 to 1 Wednesday to oppose Proposition 188, an initiative backed by tobacco giant Philip Morris. The proposal would allow business owners to decide for themselves whether to permit smoking on their premises, preempting state and local ordinances.

“If this proposition passes, it would make our ordinance useless and wouldn’t allow us to re-pass another one,” Councilwoman Charlotte Craven said. “This is very misleading and I hope the voters will see through their scheme.”

Councilman David Smith, who opposed the city’s smoking ordinance approved earlier this year on constitutional grounds, cast the only dissenting vote.

Although the resolution has no legal authority, it makes Camarillo the first local government in the county to publicly oppose the proposition. Ventura County officials said earlier this week that they will ask the Board of Supervisors next month to consider a similar resolution against the initiative.