City backs limited smoking restrictions
It might not have been the meeting that Mayor Don Kurth wanted ...
The City Council took the middle ground in regards to anti-smoking
legislation earlier today, remaining hesitant to back strict restrictions on apartments
and local businesses.
But it agreed that a ban should be in place for some public areas and directed staff members to draft an ordinance that would prohibit smoking in transit stops and outdoor service lines.
It was a mild defeat for Kurth, a physician specializing in addiction medicine who led the effort to enact a smoking ban on city-owned properties. Kurth felt the need to protect non-smokers' right to breath clean air but his colleagues felt the need to protect local businesses in this sinking economy.
"I don't want Rancho Cucamonga to be known for being lackadaisical about smoking but I don't want the city to be known for being a nanny city either," said Councilwoman Diane Williams.
"What about the kids? What about the people who don't want to inhale smoke?" asked Kurth. "We as government are responsible for protecting the rights of those who wish not to breath that smoke. I think it's time for our council to protect those who are not in the position to protect themselves."
What about the government's responsibilities to protect individual rights and liberties?
Being fully aware of the health concerns, I choose to exercise my liberty to smoke. I exercise my liberty with due care and consideration of others. I do not smoke around children, in my home, and whenever possible down wind and away from others. Anyone who comes near me to converse can clearly see that I am smoking. I have never been asked to extinquish my cigarette, but would do so if asked politely.
I agree with smoke free businesses and indoor restaurants (though I do enjoy patio smoking sections) because I believe that we should all get to enjoy the best possible quality of air for indoor communial spaces. I even agree with the City's policy of banning smoking on City properties because it is in the best interest of the public utilizing those facilities. But I cannot support an out right ban city wide. It is not the government's place to ban the public from lawful activity.
There is a health risk with riding motorcycles. Are we going to ban those too? Come to think of it, I split my chin jumping off a swing when I was a child. When are we going to ban the dangerous playground equipment?
Each of us has the right to live our lives as we see fit within the law and with reasonable consideration of others. If I am standing alone a minimum of 20 feet from a door enjoying a cigarette and you don't want to inhale my second hand smoke, I invite you to utilize the remaining however many thousands of sq. ft. of Victoria Gardens there are and leave me alone.
I'll jump off the soap box now.
Matt said
"I even agree with the City's policy of banning smoking on City properties because it is in the best interest of the public utilizing those facilities. But I cannot support an out right ban city wide."
Inside the building is one thing. I can't even have a cigarette in the parking area with all the exhaust from the cars outside the Senior Center.