One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Smoking May Get Harder in Los Angeles
Photo by tosaytheleast via Flickr
As mentioned yesterday via blogdowntown, the Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee is exploring two smoking related motions today. The suggested actions will not completely ban smoking like it practically is in Calabasas, but they do further the limiting of your rights or the protection of your health, depending on how you see it.
The first, which is probably less controversial, is a proposed ordinance that would prohibit smoking at City permitted Farmers' Markets. That seems to make sense--shop for healthy food in a less lethal setting.
But the second one will probably draw some more heat, considering the debate that ensued on this post about the Burbank smoking ban, which this is modeled after. The proposed ordinance would "prohibit smoking in outdoor dining areas and within five feet of such areas, similar to a recent ordinance enacted by the City of Burbank." Despite the Burbank story (which was more about rude enforcement), this is a pretty good idea. After all, choosing to eat outside is usually about getting some fresh air (but we'll let you debate that in the comments if you so please).
Also: The third and last item on the committee's agenda might be of interest to some as well. If passed, a new ordinance would "require chain restaurants with 15 or more outlets in the state to provide basic nutritional information per item on printed menus and menu boards.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
