[img]1305|right|Andy Weissman||no_popup[/img]Once a potential smoking ban in multi-unit housing is approved, probably before year’s end, City Councilman Andy Weissman said this morning he believes a majority of his colleagues will favor “restrictions that are more self-determinative.”
The verdict on how to regulate is far from over, he added.
In many cases, that would place authority in the hands of homeowner associations and apartment building management, a condition that Vice Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells, a leading advocate of the smoking ban, appears to stand against.
[img]1845|left|Jeff Cooper||no_popup[/img]“No decisions on the topic have been made at this time,” Mayor Jeff Cooper said this morning. “A large laundry list of alternatives was articulated to staff to bring back to us as we explore ways to protect the non-smoking community.”
Mr. Weissman said at last evening’s meeting, and he repeated this morning, that he supports an incremental approach to a no-smoking law. Eleven other Los Angeles County communities have adopted similar ordinances.
“I want a more evolving sense of regulation than ‘we are going to ban smoking tomorrow in all multi-family dwellings.’
“It remains to be seen what the ultimate regulation will look like. I have never voted against smoke-free ordinance, going back 26 years.
“I expect a responsible set of regulations will come forward dealing with second-hand smoke in multi-family dwellings. At this moment, though, the form it will take is completely uncertain.
“The Council is likely to do something more self-determinative than what Meghan is advocating,” Mr. Weissman said.
Vice Mayor Sahli-Wells said that homeowner groups and apartment management have blown their chance to sit at the wheel of a smoking ban, that City Hall now must take control.
