By Marilyn Brennan Santa Monica
Responding to Helen McRoskey’s letter in the SMDP (“Better bangers than smokers?” March 1, page 4), she needn’t worry about smokers not being able to rent in Santa Monica. Even if the City Council were to pass such a law, they would never enforce it.
There is a law against leaf blowers and the offenders don’t even get a warning to stop, let alone face arrest and a fine, as the law stipulates. There are also no smoking laws in effect in Santa Monica since Thanksgiving 2006 that are not enforced.
There is no smoking in the parks, the bus stops, the pier, the Promenade and/or within 20 feet of any business. The smokers go merrily along, involving us all in their addiction. And why not? There are no signs that say, “No smoking” anywhere in these areas. I would wager that few, if any, citations have been issued.
So, don’t worry, even if they manage to pass such a law, the smokers will be rented to along with the pedophiles and the gang bangers you mentioned. City Hall just loves to pass laws they hope makes them look good, but really don’t care to, or intend to, enforce.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 2, 2007. Read the original PDF.