Third in a series
Re “Attn. City Hall: Sweet 16 Questions Ahead of Smoking Ban”
[img]1305|right|Andy Weissman||no_popup[/img]City Councilman Andy Weissman says the anticipated – but not eagerly awaited – smoking ban in multi-unit buildings will be enforced “privately.”
That means “if you violate a prohibition, I can sue you in small claims court.”
Well, there goes Culver City’s desire to be perceived as a congenial community. A visitor lights up in your apartment, a knock follows on the door, and a neighbor announces he is going to sue you.
This may cause a massive heart attack to tourist marketers. At least, though, the air will be pure, and so will hearts, when no one comes to visit.
In pursuit of reasonableness, “I understand the other side of the argument,” Mr. Weissman said.
“For me, it is not philosophical. I am not of a mind to say that the government has the right to do whatever it wants to do whenever it wants to do it.
“I do believe there are distinctions that can be drawn. Maybe they are arbitrary. Maybe they are visceral. But I can see a responsibility on the part of local government to take protective steps on behalf of those who may not have any other recourse.”
Mr. Weissman said that if “landlords were to prohibit smoking entirely, which some have, perhaps there would not be the need for government to have to act.”
(To be continued)
