Irvine : Council to Get Draft of Smoking Ordinance

Regulation of smoking in private businesses and restaurants in Irvine will again come before the City Council, which tonight will consider a first draft of a smoking law patterned on the pioneer ordinance passed earlier this year in Laguna Beach.

The proposed ordinance would ban smoking in theaters and auditoriums, public restrooms and indoor service lines. Additionally, any restaurant capable of serving 40 or more people would be required either to ban smoking altogether or set aside at least 25% of its area for non-smokers.

In addition to Laguna Beach, Brea and Newport Beach have adopted laws restricting smoking and several other Orange County cities, including San Clemente, Orange, Costa Mesa and Tustin, are considering taking such action.