BUTT OUT CITY MULLS BEACH SMOKING BAN.Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer Seeking to join a growing contingent of cities, Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. moved a step closer Tuesday to banning smoking on city beaches. The City Council's Arts, Health and Humanities Committee sent on to the full council a proposal that would match laws passed in Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. and other coastal areas to prohibit smoking. ``If we are going to ban smoking outright, maybe we should just do that,'' said Councilman Tom LaBonge Tom LaBonge (b. Los Angeles 1953), member of the Los Angeles City Council representing the 4th district. He has served since 2001, taking over the position upon the death of John Ferraro. , who chairs the committee. ``But, I think we also have to recognize that 25 percent of the public still smokes and we have to be considerate of their rights as well.'' Councilman Jack Weiss, who suggested the ban after participating in a beach clean-up program with his children a year ago, said he believed the city needed to take steps to take action; to move in a matter. See also: Step to preserve its natural resources. ``Part of this is a health issue, but not all of it, because people obviously can move to areas where they aren't bothered by the smoke,'' Weiss said. ``But, it's an environmental issue, as well. We don't want people putting their cigarette butts out in the sand or throwing it into the ocean.'' Weiss said the measure would be primarily self-enforced, much like the city's bans on smoking in stores and restaurants. Violators could be cited with tickets by lifeguards or other law enforcement officers with fines of up to $250. The measure would apply to the sand areas of the city-operated beaches, including Venice and Dockweiler, but not boardwalks. The Venice Pier is already nonsmoking non·smok·ing adj. 1. Not engaging in the smoking of tobacco: nonsmoking passengers. 2. Designated or reserved for nonsmokers: the nonsmoking section of a restaurant. . LaBonge said he wants to see whether the measure can be amended to include areas where smoking would be allowed. ``No one wants litter,'' LaBonge said. ``I don't want to see it at First and Main, and I don't want to see it on our beaches. ``But I also want us to be understanding and realistic and not just penalize pe·nal·ize tr.v. pe·nal·ized, pe·nal·iz·ing, pe·nal·iz·es 1. To subject to a penalty, especially for infringement of a law or official regulation. See Synonyms at punish. 2. people because they happen to smoke.'' Rick Orlov, (213) 978-0390 rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: David Braun of Bakersfield smokes a cigar Tuesday while visiting Venice City Beach during a vacation. The Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. is
considering banning all smoking on city beaches, similar to one recently
enacted by Santa Monica.
Evan Yee/Staff Photographer |
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