Santa Clarita City Council Adopts Smoking Ordinance : Health: Restaurants, workplaces and enclosed public areas are affected, but officials do not expect stringent enforcement unless complaints are lodged.

SANTA CLARITA —  Smokers will soon have to hide their habit in this city.

Beginning Feb. 10, smoking will be prohibited in Santa Clarita restaurants, workplaces and enclosed public areas under an ordinance adopted Tuesday night by the City Council.

Supporters say the move recognizes smoking as an important health concern. They are glad it did not get sidetracked by complaints about government regulation.

“I am strongly in favor of this ordinance because I see no reason to have the air I breathe and the air my children breathe degraded so someone can smoke inside,” said resident Pat Saletore, one of several who urged the council for strong controls.

Banks, coin-operated laundries, shopping malls, theaters, restaurants and retail stores are among the establishments covered by the smoking ban. Bars that generate less than 25% of their income from food sales are exempted.

This issue hit home for Councilman Carl Boyer, who reportedly quit his own intermittent smoking of the last 40 years.

“I was searching for some way we could handle this in a non-confrontational manner,” Boyer said of the ban. “I would like a place where people can smoke and eat, but I can’t figure out how servers can avoid the smoke in their working conditions.”

That left Councilwoman Jan Heidt as the only smoker on the council--and the only one to vote against the ban.

“I guess the smokers are the lepers of the 90’s,” said Heidt, who prefers that residents and businesses police themselves rather than face a city ordinance about smoking.

Business advocates are concerned about Santa Clarita restaurants being saddled with the ban when those in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County can set their own rules.

“I think the city should stay out of it and the individual restaurants and businesses should make their own decisions,” said Dennis Coyle, who works in the Valencia Industrial Center where smoking is permitted.

Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy had requested giving businesses three to six months to prepare for the ban.

“Is it possible somebody’s going to die in three months?” Councilman George Pederson asked rhetorically. “Then I don’t want to wait.”

Those who violate the ordinance face a fine of $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense and $250 for the third offense. Unless a complaint is lodged, city officials do not expect stringent enforcement of the ordinance.

“We’re not going to go looking into people’s windows to see who is smoking and who is not,” Councilwoman Jill Klajic said.

Immediately after the discussion and vote on the issue, Boyer requested a recess for those who might want to go outside and have a cigarette.