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# Smoking ban is sucking life out of the city
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/smoking-ban-is-sucking-life-out-of-the-city-editor/
- Published: 2006-10-16T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:40:36.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Promenade, #archive-import

*By Douglas Debber Santa Monica*

I wish to thank the Santa Monica City Council in their infinite wisdom and moral superiority for eliminating smoking from the Promenade, outdoor patios and restaurants, and within 20 feet of doorways. Following their designation of parks, the Pier and beaches as no-smoking areas, this action reveals their profound concern for the safety and health of people in Santa Monica.

Their concern for our American ideal of property rights is something to behold. The owners of businesses and restaurants can now be free to freeze out smokers from their outdoor areas and lose business and profit. They no longer have to choose whether to have a smoking establishment or not. They must be relieved that the Council makes these choices for them.

Most certainly, the Santa Monica Police Department is pleased to hear that they can use their time and resources to chase down smokers instead of violent felons.

I marvel at the Council’s even-handed and objective thought, as well as their lack of any political agenda in their deliberations. A fine example is Clover Park, where the leprous smokers are excluded. One sees celebratory barbecue spewing billows of blue smoke into the air while gasoline-powered mowers circle. Happy folks frolic on grass free of cigarette smoke while watching the diesel buses and thousands of cars pass by.

If (the Daily Press’) readers are overweight, not to worry; I am sure our City Council is in conference at this moment considering how to protect our health and safety.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 16, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/101606.pdf?ref=smdp.com)