LOS ANGELES – Beginning March 8, 2011, a smoke-free ordinance for outdoor dining areas in Los Angeles will be implemented.
“The City of Los Angeles continues to set the pace for healthy living,” said Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa. “
Los Angeles is the largest city in the nation to implement a smoke-free outdoor dining policy. The City of Los Angeles joins a number of other cities that have already implemented smoke-free outdoor dining policies – Beverly Hills, Calabasas, Glendale, Pasadena, Santa Monica and most recently,West Hollywood.
“Angelenos already enjoy smoke-free parks, beaches and farmers’ markets and now they will be able to enjoy all the wonderful outdoor dining that LA has to offer without exposure to toxic secondhand smoke,” added Villaraigosa.
The smoking restriction prohibits anyone from smoking within 10 feet of outdoor dining areas (including food courts) and 40 feet of food kiosks, food carts and mobile food trucks in the City of Los Angeles. These establishments are required to post easily readable and visible permanent signs that use the “NO SMOKING” phrase or the international no-smoking symbol.
Bars, 18 and older nightclubs and buildings hosting private events that are completely closed to the public are exempt from this policy.
Penalties for non-compliance can mean up to $500 in fines for businesses and patrons.
According to Dr. Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, director and health officer of the Los Angeles County of Public Health, “The vast majority of LA County residents are non-smokers – 85.7 percent – and data has shown that even many smokers prefer to dine in smoke-free settings.”
“This ordinance continues Los Angeles’ commitment to protecting the health of our residents and reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, emphysema and the many other diseases associated with tobacco smoke,” Dr. Fielding stated.
Based on the 2006 US Surgeon General report, even brief exposure to secondhand smoke may have adverse effects on the heart and respiratory systems and increase the severity of asthma attacks, especially in children.
Filipino-American community advocates like Carol J. Almeda and Kristine Delgado from the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP) have expressed their full support for the smoke-free policy.
Carol exclaims that “LA can really make it contagious… the trend is for a better, a more healthy and smoke-free environment.” Carol participates in community based coalitions like the Carson Initiative on Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention (CISAAP) that serves as the substance abuse resource and advocacy arm in the South Bay area while Kristine leads a youth advocacy leadership program, “Youth Against Tobacco Use (YATU).”
This smoke-free ordinance is also believed to bring a positive impact to the community.
Matthew Geller, CEO of the Southern California Mobile Food Vendors’ Association shares his thoughts: “Generally, people eat on the streets for food trucks and you want to provide the most comfortable environment you can for them. I think this will be another tool to help them do that.”
So the next time you’re eating out in Los Angeles at your favorite outdoor dining area, order your food with a “side of fresh air.”
For more information about the City of Los Angeles smoke-free outdoor dining policy, visit FreshAirDiningLA.com.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(LA Weekend Mar 5-8, 2011 Sec A pg. 1)
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