ANTI-SMOKING AREA EXTENDED NEW LAW PUSHES PUFFERS FARTHER AWAY.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

California's notoriously tough smoking laws just got tougher.

A new law that took effect Jan. 1 prohibits smoking within 20 feet of main entrances, exits and operable windows of any public building - 15 feet more than the previous law. And some smokers interviewed Friday aren't happy.

``Because it's a free country, you should smoke wherever you want,'' said Michael Tonyan, who was visiting the Glendale Courthouse. ``If you don't like it, you can walk away.''

The ban applies to any building owned, leased and occupied by the state, county or city, including buildings of the University of California, the California State University system and the state's community colleges.

``We felt it would benefit nonsmokers and prevent them from inhaling secondhand smoke and the health-related problems associated with it,'' said Ermelinda Ruiz, legislative director for Assemblyman Juan Vargas, D-Chula Vista, who authored Assembly Bill 846. ``The goal is to have ashtrays moved away so nonsmokers don't have to walk through the cloud of smoke as they're entering a public building.''

But while people can get cited for smoking inside bars, there is no system for enforcement or penalties for those who smoke closer than the new boundaries stipulate.

``We're hoping people will just comply with the law much like they do with the current ban on smoking inside state buildings,'' Ruiz said. ``Generally speaking, when people know they're not allowed to smoke in a certain area, they comply.''

New signs will be posted this month in government buildings, advising smokers of the new law, and ash receptacles will be moved farther away from buildings.

Los Angeles International Airport personnel are surveying all of the designated outside smoking areas to ensure that they comply with the new law.

``Because we've had a ban on public smoking within our passenger terminals for many years now, all of the ashtrays are located terminal curbside, and we are ensuring that they are all indeed located at least 20 feet away from entrances to all terminals,'' said LAX spokeswoman Nancy Castles.

Two terminals with outdoor smoking areas within them will not be affected by the new law, Castles said.

Nonsmokers welcome the new law, saying it will be a breath of fresh air for their lungs.

``Now you won't get the secondhand smoke or someone won't be smoking right when you exit the door and breathe it in,'' said Lori Rodriguez, who works as a clerk in the San Fernando Courthouse.

Longtime smoker Pat Callahan, who remembered the days when she could smoke at her desk, said she would respect the law, but as smokers get pushed farther away from buildings, accommodations should be made for them to continue their habit.

``I understand people walking into the building don't want to walk through the smoke, but if they're going to have this law, they have to have some provisions for smokers like a sheltered area near the building,'' said Callahan, who braved Friday's rain to get in a few puffs outside the federal building in Van Nuys.

Anti-smoking organizations hailed the new law as a step in the right direction.

``I'm pleased that there are more laws being enacted to protect the rights of nonsmokers, and the more restrictions the better. It does help lessen the assault by the smoker,'' said Elliott Graham, a member of the National Smokers Alliance and chairman of Glendalians Against Smoke Pollution. ``I think the ultimate utopia would be a total ban on smoking.''

Looking on the brighter side, some longtime smokers said they hoped the tighter smoking restrictions would push them to the point of quitting.

``Maybe with some of these laws it will force me to quit, which will be good,'' Callahan said.

Naush Boghossian, [phone]

naush.boghossian(at)dailynews.com