CITY BANS SMOKING IN LINES

Santa Cruz: No lighting up allowed by people waiting for concerts, movies.

Santa Cruz now joins Palo Alto and Davis in making it illegal for smokers
to light up in outdoor lines.

The city council voted 5-1 Tuesday night in favor of the amendment to the
city's existing smoking rules that prohibits smoking in lines for such
things as concerts, movies, meetings, buses and taxis. Violations are
infractions punishable by fines of $100 or more.

Councilwoman Mary Beth Campbell was the lone opponent, and Councilwoman
Katherine Beiers was absent. Campbell said she did not see any pressing
need for the new law, which must return to the council in two weeks for
final approval.

County Health Officer George Wolfe, while applauding the city's effort to
protect the public from smoke, questioned whether the rule could be
enforced, noting that it would require a citizen to flag a police officer
to cite an offender.

But the majority of council members felt the law was reasonable. Councilman
Mike Rotkin, a former smoker himself, said smokers often fail to understand
the impact of their habit on those around them.

``People are in disbelief. They say, `Why would people be bothered?' ''
Rotkin said. ``But when you smoke next to me, it's definitely obnoxious.''

Non-smokers cannot escape the fumes while waiting in line, Rotkin said,
noting a distinct difference with this year's state ban on smoking in bars,
which he opposes.

The smoking rule, similar to laws adopted by Palo Alto and Davis five years
ago, attracted considerable press coverage but little interest locally.
Reporters appeared to outnumber concerned citizens when the council took up
the issue. Santa Cruz, like many other cities, already prohibits smoking in
outside doorways or areas where the fumes can waft inside.

Checked-by: jwjohnson@netmagic.net (Joel W. Johnson)