Burbank passes smoking ban
It's settled -- big chunks of the the city are now smoke-free zones with a City Council majority introducing the "Second Hand Smoke Control Ordinance" early this morning.
Among the key changes is a reduction of the smoke-free zones to five feet from 20 feet from the entry and sidewalks of some downtown businesses in order to allow designated smoking areas.
Mayor Todd Campbell and council members Jef Vander Borght and Marsha Ramos voted in favor of the ban, while councilmen David Golonski and David Gordon dissented. The ordinance will return for a second reading Tuesday before it is enacted.
“I think it’s a great start, and honestly, I think the city has come up with a pretty comprehensive ordinance that addresses our concerns,” said Eric Michael Cap, one of the ordinance’s proponents. “I’m very happy with it.”
Joe Georges, whose family operates several hookah waterpipe cafes downtown, said the changes will allow him to stay in business.
“It will still affect me, but it’s better then them banning the whole thing,” he said. “I’m still not happy with it, but they did take consideration of some of the business owners.”
more updates at Daily News
Earlier:
Burbank Smoking Ban Hot Issue
The Debate So Far
Council to kick some butt