By Marilyn Brennan Santa Monica
In the article in SMDP’s Friday, Nov. 17, 2006 edition (“Clearing the air for SM smokers”), I did not see a mention of the city posting “No Smoking” signs in the public areas earmarked for the smoking ban. Nor was there a mention of signs in the glossy, expensive flier the city sent out. All this leads me and many others to believe that it is just one more of so many frivolous laws they (city officials) have no intention of enforcing.
And if, as stated in the article, “… city officials acknowledge the enforcement will depend heavily on awareness …” they should post signs.
Since tourism is a much-touted given in Santa Monica, how will the visitors know about the smoking ban unless the city posts signs? Right now, many tourists are seen smoking away in Palisades Park,which has been a no smoking area for awhile. Of course, they must see the transients lighting up and so forth, since little if anything is done to curb the transients’ behavior.
In other places that have no smoking like Disneyland, Dodger Stadium, etc., they post signs.
Since city officials are famous for passing laws they have no intention of enforcing (like the leaf blower ban in Santa Monica, public feedings, etc., etc.), it is to be hoped that the smoking ban is not one of them. But if they are serious, post signs.
So we’ll see if the no smoking ban is just a diversionary tactic to keep us off the real issues. I’ll believe it when they post signs.
But I guess we all like to complain or we would have voted the incumbents out.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 27, 2006. Read the original PDF.