Opinions split on banning smoking

Newport Beach businesses are divided over a city ordinance that could ban smoking in some public places, and the public debate on the issue continues to smolder.

The Bungalow restaurant in Corona del Mar lets its guests smoke cigars on the patio of the upscale eatery after 9 p.m., but owner Jim Walker said he’s in favor of a no-smoking ordinance.

“It’s a better situation to ban smoking on a universal basis,” Walker said. “It kind of takes the onus off the owner of the restaurant and puts in on the city.

“We do get a certain amount of people that smoke, but a lot of them really aren’t locals; they’re people traveling through.”

Sheri Drewry, president of the Newport Beach Restaurant Assn., said she hasn’t heard any concern for area restaurateurs about the proposed smoking ban.

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce will likely oppose the ban, chamber President Richard Luehrs said.

“In a marketplace that is not good, anything that detracts from getting us out of the economic slump were all mired in is problematic for the business community,” Luehrs said.

“We don’t want to see anything that would hinder our recovery from this economic climate we currently find ourselves in.”

Luehrs said he was concerned the ordinance would affect tourism in Newport Beach because many visitors from Europe and Asia are used to more lax standards on public smoking.

“I think it’s imposing further restrictions on businesses, especially now when the economy its just not in a good place,” said Newport Beach Councilwoman Leslie Daigle, who opposes a no-smoking ordinance.

The exact parameters of a no-smoking ordinance have not been set, but it could include barring smoking in city parks and in outdoor dining areas, city officials said Tuesday.

“What the council asked for is for the broadest ordinance so we could chip away at it,” Newport Beach Councilwoman Nancy Gardner said, adding she is leaning toward supporting such an ordinance.

“I think there are some real issues in terms of the litter smoking generates. I think it’s a good discussion to have,” Gardner said.

No date has been set for when the council might vote on such an ordinance.

Reporter BRIANNA BAILEY may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or at [email protected].