Parks Is Going for a Smoking Ban Everywhere

The motion seeks control over areas where people
“can reasonably congregate.”

This motion is a sign that it is time to get serious about issues
related to health.

We need to continue the momentum we captured last week by restricting the number of fast food establishments that come into our poorer communities. Today, we are putting the same effort into protecting the people who unwillingly become exposed to secondhand smoke each day.

Earlier, Mr. Parks issued the following statement:

“Second-hand smoke is the No. 1 cause of preventable health disease in America. There are no questions regarding the negative health effects. Research has shown that inhaling second-hand smoke is more harmful than actually smoking, primarily due to the unfiltered nature of the smoke, and it’s been cooled by the air.

“Smoking and second-hand smoke have a significant cost impact on our current healthcare system.

“Smoking is a voluntary addiction, which is not a right protected by the Constitution. But second-hand smoke harms an involuntary population, which has a Constitutional right to clean air and a clean environment.

“In this country, we are protected by many health laws. Eighty percent of the U.S. population are non-smokers, and those 80 percent are affected by second-hand smoke, which is particularly dangerous as the as the smoke honors no boundaries. .

This motion is not an outright ban. But it seeks legislation that regulates its usage to specific places that do not have an expectation of involuntary contact with people.

“Whever people congregate, or there is an expectation of people being present smoking, should be prohibited. This is an effort to move smokers, and smoking, away from people who do not choose to either smoke or inhale. second-hand smoke.

“California Prop. 65 declares that California residents have a right to clean air and water.

“Recently, the governor has declared second-hand smoke as a carcinogenic and a regulated contaminant.

“Based on the recent state declaration, it is then most appropriate that laws are put in place to regulate.

“I am recommending that both the city of Los Angeles and the County of Los Angeles, specifically in unincorporated areas, ban smoking in all public areas and common areas where people congregate.

“The city of Los Angeles has implemented legislation in the past to regulate smoking in restaurants, city facilities, city beaches and currently pending in city parks. This is an effort to stop the incremental legislation and create a comprehensive health agenda for the city of Los Angeles.

“I want to remove this health risk and exposure from the lives of adults and children.

“All of us have experienced walking through smoke when entering buildings and walking in the smoking debris that clutters our environment. Enough is enough. It is time to put a stop to this now.

“My personal experience and research have led me to this very practical solution. Over the past couple years, I have, at every opportunity, confronted several hundred smokers about their health concerns and requested that they put their cigarettes out to save their own lives and live longer.

“Just recently, at both the Central Avenue and the St. Andrews Park jazz festivals, I discussed this issue with numerous people.

“Many stated that they wanted to stop or they were going to stop. But the major reaction was by their seatmates or neighbors who thanked me for stopping the second-hand smoke they were inhaling.

“This is not a request that will drain law enforcement resources. Primarily, it would be a code enforcement activity via either an infraction or a misdemeanor.

“I commend the cities of Beverly Hills, Burbank, Calabasas, Santa Monica and New York in taking the national leadership on this issue.

“I will be working with Calabasas Council member Barry Grovemen, who is the former mayor of Calabasas and the first elected official to win approval for a smoking ban in the nation.”