Anaheim : Vote Expected Today on Smoking Ordinance

The City Council today is scheduled to vote on a controversial ordinance that would regulate smoking in both public and private workplaces. If adopted, the law will allow workers in Anaheim to designate their immediate work area as “nonsmoking” and will give nonsmokers precedence in any dispute arising under the smoking policy.

The proposed regulations regarding the private workplace are considered among the stiffest in Southern California, according to the city staff.

The proposed ordinance also prohibits smoking in conference and meeting rooms, classrooms, auditoriums, restrooms, medical facilities, hallways and elevators, as well as in designated portions--at least half--of cafeterias, lunchrooms and employee lounges.

Today’s council meeting will not begin at the usual 9:45 a.m. time, but will start after officials return from an Orange County Board of Supervisors meeting, where two Anaheim sites will be considered for the construction of a new jail.