DOWNEY COUNCIL DELAYS SMOKING-BAN DISCUSSION, BUT MEMBERS TALKING
By Arnold Adler
DOWNEY — The Downey City Council probably won’t discuss a possible citywide outdoor smoking ban until its meeting Aug. 23, but Councilman Mario Guerra has made sure his opposition is known.
Guerra said it would be too costly to enforce the ban, but a full discussion was halted on a 2-1 vote with Mayor Luis Marquez and Mayor Pro Tem Roger Brossmer calling for postponement.
Marquez said it was the courteous thing to do because Councilman Fernando Vasquez, who called for the ban, was absent, as was Councilman Dave Gafin.
Brian Saeki, director of community development, said city staff wants direction from the full council on whether to draw up such a law. He said it would take 20 to 30 hours of staff time to do it.
Saeki said such a law would ban smoking in all private outdoor locations accessible to the general public, such as patio dining at restaurants, public restrooms, sports arenas, elevators and movie theaters.
It would hold the property owner responsible for providing smoke-free areas for non-smokers to the maximum extent possible, he said in a written report to council Tuesday.
Smoking is already banned on public property.
