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West Hollywood has one of the highest rates of smoking in Los Angeles County. Maybe that's part of the city's rock and roll culture, or maybe it's due to the lack of a public smoking ordinance, something found in many surrounding cities. A task force that met Friday began to shape a proposed smoking ordinance, according to the WeHo News. Under one idea, smoking would be banned at restaurants with outdoor dining areas that serve minors younger than 18. Another suggestion is an exemption that would allow private clubs and hotel swimming pools to allow smoking. Future meetings will determine the final proposed language
In December, West Hollywood businesses were concerned about the proposed smoking ban because, unlike Los Angeles' ordinance, the proposal had smoking at bar and club patios verboten. "We have already in place the ability for customers and businesses to choose," former chair of the Chamber of Commerce Joe Clapsaddle told the WeHo News last month. “I don’t want to be Calabasas, I don’t want to be Santa Monica, I don’t want to be Berkeley, I don’t want to be Beverly Hills - I want to be West Hollywood, California.”