Los Angeles Bans Outdoor Smoking at Restaurants

Los Angeles lawmakers have passed an ordinance that bans smoking within 10 feet of a restaurant patio, garden or deck, despite the fact that many restaurateurs built outdoor smoking areas to survive when smoking was first banned in dining establishments.

The measure, passed earlier this month by the City Council's Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee, also prohibits smoking within 30 feet of any food truck, also defined as an "outdoor dining area."

Chris McCalla, legislative director of the International Premium Cigar & Pipe Retailers association, spoke out against the law, which will not officially take effect for a year so businesses can have time to adapt.

"Los Angeles restaurateurs already have been deprived of their right to decide whether or not to go smoke-free in their establishments," McCalla said. "But when the City Council wants to ban outdoor smoking at these restaurants, that's when we-smokers and non-smokers, alike-must challenge them."