Status 10/13: Round-table meeting this week

We haven’t had much to say since activity concerning anti-smoking activity in Los Angeles since September, but the wait is over.

The only measure which is on the table now is a motion (no. 08-1544) by Council member Greig Smith (seconded by Dennis Zine) that would ban smoking in "outdoor dining areas." There is also a companion Resolution (no. 08-0002-S93) from Council members Wendy Gruel and Jose Huizar to ask the County of Los Angeles and State of California to approve similar legislation.

The matter came before the City’s Arts, Parks, Health & Aging Committee on September 3 and chair Tom LaBonge (4th District) asked for a meeting to discuss the economic impact of such a measure.

That long-awaited meeting is scheduled for this week, but it is not a public meeting, so please do not ask for the time and place.

Representatives of the anti-smoking crowd will be present, of course and the California Restaurant Association and California Hotel Association are fully informed concerning the issue. The grass-roots Cigar Rights of America group will also attend and is against the ban.

The motion introduced by Council member Bernard Parks to eliminate smoking almost everywhere is not yet at the committee level, as it would also come before LaBonge’s committee. The Smith motion concerning outdoor dining has to be handled first.