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In This Issue...
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Driving Impaired: The Costs & Consequences
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Health
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Capitola's Proposed Smoking Ban Could Lead Nation
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Capitola's Proposed Smoking Ban Could Lead Nation
More Smoking Restrictions on Tap for 2010, Councilman Predicts
By R.T. Sideman
When the statewide smoking ban took effect in 1999, Capitola's cigarette and cigar puffers were driven outdoors. But soon the outdoors — or at least much of it — may no longer be an option.
A proposal put forth by Capitola Councilman Dennis Norton would ban smoking on the Esplanade, the wharf, at city parks, the library, City Hall and the Stockton Avenue Bridge.
Beyond that, Norton also hinted at the possibility of a citywide ban in 2010 that would apply to all public outdoor spaces.
Citing concerns about secondhand smoke and piles of cigarette butt litter, Norton says it's time to take action.
"It's a constant mess for Public Works to clean up and people sitting on the seawall there are having to inhale secondhand smoke," Norton said.
The ban could take effect by Christmas Day. A public hearing and final vote will be held Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the city council chambers. The council already voted unanimously in support of a preliminary draft of the rule.
Such smoking bans are still rare, though growing in number. A number of municipalities — particularly in California — have banned smoking in outdoor parks, playgrounds and beaches.
Most recently, Santa Cruz banned smoking along Pacific Avenue, West Cliff Drive, Beach Street and the wharf, all outside dining areas, such as bars, coffee shops and restaurants, and on city property including all parks.
The California Air Resources Board has declared secondhand smoke to be a toxic air contaminant that can lead to respiratory infections, asthma, lung cancer, heart disease and death.
The Santa Cruz ban took effect on Oct. 20, but Santa Cruz has not issued any citations because of a 30-day grace period, said police officials.
An existing smoking ban at Capitola Beach has not led to any citations being issued, Norton said, but it acts as a deterrent to smoking.
Kimberly Spence, manager at the Fog Bank, disagrees. She said that the ban on the Esplanade would merely cause smokers on the sidewalk to seek refuge on the beach, where they are less likely to be caught.
"If I can't smoke on the Esplanade, that's probably what I would do," she said.
Spence said the ban could hurt business.
"This is nothing but a quaint bar and restaurant," she said. "People want a place to smoke."
Spence was going to join a petition that opposes the ban, but decided against it after looking at the debate in Santa Cruz, where 1,500 signed a similar petition.
What's a Cigar Store to Do?
Hasan Ayaad, owner of Havana Village cigar shop on Monterey Avenue, expressed concern that the ban would hurt his business. A customer of the smoke shop, Sebastian Balest, warned the city to oppose the ban or lose a valuable demographic among tourists.
"Because the local businesses rely upon tourism to stay prosperous and thriving, it is in Capitola's interest to provide an atmosphere that is conducive to leisurely activities which tourists may want to participate in," Balest said. "Special attention should be focused to provide the 'bread earners' who pay for their families to visit our village the opportunity to enjoy their preferred activities. Very often it is just those 'bread earners' who especially enjoy cigar and pipe smoking."
The ban wouldn't apply to Monterey Avenue, where Havana Village is located, so people still would be allowed to smoke in front of the shop.
Councilman Sam Storey said that most of the residents he has heard from support the ban.
Molly Ording, who organizes cleanups on Capitola Beach, said that 99 percent of the litter is the remnants of cigarettes. Butts are found on the streets and in the city's flower boxes.
"People who still smoke perhaps have a lower regard for themselves and for the environment than those who have quit," said Ording, who is a leading force behind the proposed ban. "Besides litter, the ban is another tool to help our society from undue sadness and medical expenses. We need to do it."
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