LA PALMA : City Council Takes Stand Against Proposition 188

The City Council has recommended that voters shun a “deceptive” initiative on the Nov. 8 ballot that purports to restrict smoking.

The council unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday that denounces Proposition 188. That initiative, backed by the tobacco industry, would prohibit city governments from enacting their own anti-smoking ordinances. It also would nullify a state law that cracks down on smoking.

The council’s resolution notes that the state’s new anti-smoking law is “much stricter than Proposition 188.” The resolution also points out that “Proposition 188 is being promoted by the tobacco industry and is opposed by groups such as the American Cancer Society.”

Supporters of Proposition 188, however, have argued that the initiative is fair. In the statewide ballot pamphlet, supporters of Proposition 188--including Robert M. Jacobs, executive director of the San Francisco Hotel Assn.--contend that the initiative “will impose tougher restrictions on the sale and use of tobacco products than currently faced by a majority of Californians.”

City Councilman Larry A. Herman, who introduced the council’s resolution, said voters appear confused about the potential impact of Proposition 188. “What it would do is take away all the local smoking laws,” Herman said. “The people who propose this initiative are the tobacco companies. Obviously, they have a lot to gain in this.”

Mayor Wally D. Linn agreed that Proposition 188 should be defeated. “I frankly never have seen such a slick operation as what we’re seeing now (on behalf of Proposition 188) by the tobacco companies,” Linn said.