Yea or Nay: Smoking ban in outdoor cafes

It is now illegal to light up in outdoor dining areas in Los Angeles under a new law that took effect Tuesday to protect restaurant patrons from secondhand smoke.

The Los Angeles ordinance prohibits smoking within 10 feet of outdoor dining areas and food courts and within 40 feet of food carts and mobile food trucks. Bars and 18-and-older nightclubs with outdoor areas are exempt from the law.

Our sister blog L.A. Now has more. But before you go, vote: What do you think of the smoking ban? Do you think it will hurt business by driving away smokers? Or will it help attract customers? 

Personally, I wish the Los Angeles City Council was a little more aggressive and banned smoking in nightclubs with outdoor areas. Maybe the rest of us non-smokers would like some fresh air too.

-- Rene Lynch
Twitter / renelynch

Comments

[Raven]

"Smokers can always smoke downwind fro non-smokers, Problem solved" lol The problem is MOST smokers don't give a damn about non smokers around them, they not only sit next to you, once they're done with the ONE cig, 9 times out of 10 they'll light their second, we all love our rights, but once YOUR right of YOUR addiction impedes on my right to NOT inhale additional preventable carcinogens, you should NOT have that right, smoke till the cows come home just don't make me do it.

[Thomas Laprade]

Peotection from second-hand smoke OUTSIDE??
A small amount of smoke in a decently ventilated venue is a statistically insignificant health risk.
Smoking bans has nothing to do with health
It is just a cover-up to quarantine/isolate the smoker.
Smokers can always smoke downwind fro non-smokers.
Poblem solved

http://fightingback.homestead.com

[StevenG]

WHAT YOU WON’T HEAR SMOKERS SAY -
They say their product is legal – but you’ll never hear them say it’s safe.
They say they have a right to smoke – you’ll never hear them say that we have a right to breathe.
They say we’re taking away their freedom – you’ll never hear them say we’re limiting their addiction.
They say there is no proof of harm – you’ll never hear them say they know people who died from use.
They point their finger to the obese, who harm themselves, but no one ever died from secondhand food.

This issue is always about them as individuals – you’ll never hear them speak out for anyone else.
They say” make a section to smoke” in places people gather to eat and drink – you’ll never hear them say they’ll wait or leave to limit everyone else’s exposure to the cancerous poisons in their secondhand smoke.

They say they pay taxes on every $5 pack of cigarettes they buy – you’ll never hear them apologize for the $7 we will be taxed to pay for their future healthcare costs, on every pack they buy.

They say outdoor smoking bans lose customers and profits for restaurants and bars – you’ll never hear them say cities adopting smokefree outdoor policies have never rescinded them because their businesses gain more customers and have seen increases in their profits.

They say they won’t go to bars and restaurants that ban smoking inside and on outdoor patios – you’ll never hear them say that the federal tax increase of $1 per pack; a 90* cents per pack price hike by cigarette manufacturers; and a looming state tax, is making their addiction too expensive for them to go out - to eat or drink anyway.

They say they are responsible smokers – you’ll never hear them say lit cigarettes and irresponsible smoking is the number one cause of apartment and house fires; and known to be a major cause of hillside and forest fires in dry and windy conditions.

They say smoking gives them a sense of freedom and independence – it is anything but – smokers should not feel free to light-up around those who don’t smoke and their independence is more like dependence and slavery to nicotine, the drug of their addiction and irritability.

Some say they feel more comfortable smoking in social situations – fact is, nobody wants to get secondhand smoke on their clothes, in their hair, or on their skin, so they stay away from the smoker.

They reason that smoking has never hurt them – that’s because decreased oxygen levels to their brains are due to the increased carbon monoxide levels in their lungs.

And lastly, Smoking is just bad – for ALL of us - because it leads to numerous health problems for the smoker like heart attack & stroke, cancer, lung disease and death; but that’s not all, they also take a few of us, with them, as well.

For every 20 people that die from smoking – 3 non-smokers also die because they were forced to breathe in secondhand smoke. All of this can change and we have the power to protect ourselves and others – with our voice and with our support for smokefree laws.

After all is said and done, the fact is, we were all born non-smokers and that is our natural state of being.

[LjennC]

For more information regarding the new smoking ordinance please check out freshairdiningla.com or publichealth.lacounty.gov/tob/

[Mea Sententia]

Way back when People were free to make personal choices..., a person could frequent a bar or restaurant and enjoy a nice drink or meal then have a relaxing smoke. Now, everyone wants to be a victim and complain about the smell of cigarettes. Only in America... Go on a cruise or visit a foreign Country and no one complains. 2nd hand smoke is no more dangerous than wind driven smoke from a fire, smog, or body odor. If you don't want to smell like cigarette smoke, don't visit those places that allow smoking. Quit complaining about other peoples habits.

[J Weiner]

It's great. Too bad it will never be enforced. Not one Starbucks employee has ever approached the many smokers who defy the posted signs, and continue to smoke. I see it everyday. Not just Starbucks.