Restrictive anti-smoking measures to be debated
The city is considering snuffing out smoking in its public parks.
A proposal to prohibit smoking within 25 feet of children’s playgrounds — or even banning the practice entirely — throughout the city’s parks will be debated at tonight’s Recreation and Parks Commission meeting.
Many commission members said there is a lot of support in the city for such a ban.
“I just feel very strongly about this issue,” said Neil Carrey, a recreation and parks commissioner. “I’m going to go into the meeting with an open mind, but it would take an amazing argument by someone to convince me to vote against something like this.”
The state enacted legislation that took effect in January which forbids smoking in playgrounds. The law also allows municipalities to extend smoke-free zones to the entire park or just certain areas. It has not yet been decided if the ban would include all parks in the city, including beach areas, or just near playgrounds.
Public officials worry about the effects second-hand cigarette smoke may have on children playing nearby. Recent studies suggest second-hand smoke contains more chemicals that are suspected carcinogens than previously believed.
51D,“I think whether it’s in character with Santa Monica or not, this is an item that’s being brought to the attention of people across the country,” said Frank Schwengel, chair of the city’s recreation and parks commission. “The anti-smoking people are having a lot of success.”
Councilman Richard Bloom, who is the city council’s liaison to the Recreation and Park’s Commission, said banning smoking in parks may be only the first step in enacting stricter anti-smoking ordinances citywide.
He wants to ban smoking on outdoor patios at restaurants and bars as well.
“Second-hand smoke is still a big issue,” he said. “There are more places that I think it would be a good idea to restrict smoking.”
Beverly Hills banned smoking in its parks this year.
And the Los Angeles City Council is considering legislation that would ban smoking within 25 feet of where children play.
“It pretty much addresses the effects of second hand smoke on kids and tries to prevent them from being around it,” said Bara King, coordinator of the Los Angeles’ taskforce for smoke-free zones.
“So that would go for parks, playfields, bleachers, all of the sports courts — just about anywhere children could be playing,” she said.
Los Angeles’ ordinance would even forbid smoking at dog runs, public swimming pools and golf courses.
Beverly Hills and Los Angeles officials were convinced by the Committee for Smoke-free Zones, which is leading tonight’s discussion. The organization is currently working with 10 other municipalities in Southern California on creating bans in their cities.
“It’s a bonus for public health,” said Robert Berger, a committee member. “Especially around playgrounds and playfields, it just doesn’t fit in with those types of family events.”
Berger said recent polls taken by the committee show that while below 20 percent of the state smokes, 93 percent of the population agrees with more restrictive smoking prohibitions.
“Even the people that smoke tell us they would agree to more restrictions,” he said.
The practice of banning smoking in public areas has become more common in recent years. Smoking already has been banned in office buildings, commercial airplanes, and in California, at restaurants and bars.
The parks and recreation commission will make a recommendation to the city council, which has final approval on such an ordinance.
Tonight’s meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Ken Edwards Center, located at 1527 Fourth Street.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 20, 2002. Read the original PDF.