The Long Beach City Council will tonight examine a proposed amendment that would potentially allow smoking inside cigar lounges and tobacco shops (see this article in today’s L.A. Times on the issue). Rosa Kelson weighs in on the situation in a guest editorial:
Today, the Long Beach City Council is considering a proposed amendment to its current No Smoking Ordinance that will significantly weaken it. This is a step backward for the City of Long Beach, which has been a long-time leader in the no-smoking movement. The Coalition for a Smoke Free Long Beach is a health advocacy organization of individuals, faith-based organizations, youth, parents, and health professionals that opposes this change.
Currently, smoking is not allowed in any public place in Long Beach. This includes bars, restaurants, cigar lounges, and tobacco shops. If passed, the proposed ordinance could allow for an exemption to this law for any of the existing cigar lounges, tobacco shops and hookah lounges in Long Beach.
In 2006 the California Air Resources Board, ruled that “ secondhand smoke is a toxic air contaminant and there is no safe level of exposure.” Cigars emit clouds of secondhand smoke and contain the same toxic and carcinogenic compounds found in cigarettes and are not a safe alternative to cigarettes, which can affect passersby and attached and surrounding businesses.
The Coalition for a Smoke Free Long Beach supports and promotes a healthy smoke-free Long Beach and the prevention of tobacco use by individuals, especially children and youth. The Coalition has worked to protect residents, visitors, and employees of the City of Long Beach from the dangers of second hand smoke and supported the City’s strong No Smoking in Public Places Ordinance, Long Beach Municipal Code 8.68, passed in 1994.
The Coalition is a diverse group of community volunteers committed to promoting tobacco free lifestyles. Currently, there are more than 80 members representing residents, youth, voluntary health organizations, churches, community based organizations, youth organizations, businesses and other concerned individuals.
Rosa Kelson is co-chair of the Long Beach Smoke Free Coalition.