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City revises ordinance on smoking outdoors
Golfers can light up on T.O. course, council says
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More from Conejo ValleySmokers will be able to light up on fairways and other areas of city-owned Los Robles Golf Course, following a vote Tuesday night by the Thousand Oaks City Council.
The council voted 4-1 to revise a recently adopted outdoor smoking ordinance to exclude playing areas at the golf course.
The revision changes the definition of playgrounds, where smoking is banned within 25 feet.
The vote also puts in place a permitting process for restaurant owners who would like smoking permitted in their outdoor dining patios.
Councilman Tom Glancy cast the dissenting vote, saying he voted against it on principle.
"I really believe strongly in the harmful effects of smoking," Glancy said Wednesday. "There's a point at which we draw a line where we say we can't keep legislating behavior."
Smoking would be prohibited in the golf course's restaurant, banquet hall and outdoor dining area. It would be allowed on tee and practice areas and water hazards.
"I'm puzzled by how you are parsing out these exemptions," resident John Geoghegan said. "I can smoke if I'm a golfer but not if I play tennis or do aerobics?"
The council adopted a policy on smoking in public places earlier this month. During the council's deliberations a number of restaurant owners said their businesses would be hurt by a smoking ban on outdoor patios where customers dine.
Council members opted to give restaurateurs the option of applying for a permit that would exempt them from the ban.
Posted by Sneed_Hearn on July 24, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I can hear the council now...."Hey boys, we banned smoking on the golf course". "We forgot that we won't be able to puff on our stogies while playig a round" This is nothing more than "Good 'Ol Boy" politics. Take the Ojai City Council for instance. At one time I was quite involved in the production of the annual "Bowlful Of Blues" in Libby Park. Absolutely no alcohol allowed! But when the summer classical concerts came around, the council would wave the ordinance so they could sip their wine and champagne during the festival. I don't agree with the banning of smoking in outdoor situations but if its the law I'll abide by it. But that law should be equitable to all!
Posted by scott_fx_2000 on July 24, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This Country was built with freedom as the ultimate motive. You can't scratch your A** without some form of local or Federal government telling you how or when you can do it these days. Lawyers, Politicians and big business are slowly killing our once great nation. I myself don't smoke, but if cigarettes are legal to buy, you should be able to smoke them outside if you please. I wonder what would happen if a Council member gets fined for smoking outside? Probably get out of that ticket, don't you think? What a bunch of douches!
Posted by rebel123 on July 24, 2008 at 7:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I will not frequent any restaurant that allows smoking on their outdoor patios. Winchesters is a great example. They allow smoking on the patio and it drifts in the door every time it is opened and if you want to dine al fresco, you have to inhale second hand smoke. Yuck. Smoking is disgusting. I also hate walking the fairways on a golf course and seeing cigarette butts on the grass. If you are going to smoke, learn to field strip your butts. It's bad enough smokers pollute the air, they don't have to pollute the ground too.
Posted by Ms_California on July 24, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
rebel, Winchester's is a bad example, it is a bar! Drinking and smoking go hand in hand.
Posted by gen on July 24, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm torn - I don't smoke and I can't stand walking down the street as someone blows a puff at me (because they are on the outside dining area, they are walking passed me or whatever) and it absolutely drives me bonkers to walk through a door as someone is puffing away right there. I don't see a problem with having a dedicated area to smokers but only smokers because you'll end up getting some whining nutjob complaining about the smoke. In reality, the air is free and open - how can you seriously claim a right to air? All I ask is that there be some law about smoking so many feet from a door and/or window. I don't care about anywhere else outside.
Posted by tsetsaf on July 24, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This just in... The TO City Council has voted 5-0 to ban the creation of laws that serve no real purpose. After deliberations the council decided that all of the laws they have created are completely ridiculous and were derived by their inherent need to "do something".
Joe Schmoe stated, "When I was elected I believed the people actually wanted me to do something then I realized that only 7,500 people, from a city of 100,000, actually voted." ... "I guess people really just want us there to uphold and deal with big issues like budgets and crime while leaving arbitrary rules to higher legislative powers."... "In conclusion I have decided to join my local HOA and enact self-centered biased laws that will impact a population of people who actually signed into the program voluntarily (by buying a home in the neighborhood)"
Posted by sslocal on July 24, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh good lord. If your outdoors and not breathing it all the time it just smells bad. That is all it is, just a bad smell.
Now, if your indoors and someone lights up and you have to breath it all the time, that is a different story.
Posted by IslandHopper on July 24, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Excuse me while I light my spliff...
Good god I gotta take a lift.
Is it 4:20 yet?
Posted by sparks240 on July 25, 2008 at 7:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I smoked a 300 yard drive off the tee the other day. I'm glad it's now legal!
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