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399 <br /> <br /> Mr. Tarver stated that there is a need to regulate smoking in <br />local jurisdictions, particularly because the State supports the <br />tobacco industry. He indicated that it was time to strengthen the <br />City's smoking ordinance and restrict vending machines to adult <br />establishments which are not accessible to minors. He added that <br />smoking should be prohibited in hotels, restaurants and bars and <br />that free give-aways of addictive substances, such as tobacco, <br />should be banned in Pleasanton. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mohr asked Staff what the nature of regular complaints <br />about smoking in work places was and how the current smoking <br />ordinance is enforced. <br /> <br /> Mr. Roush replied that the City gets an average of two to <br />three complaints a month, usually from persons working in an office <br />with established smoking areas but where the smoke seeps into the <br />rooms through the doors or the building's ventilation system. He <br />noted that most of the time, complainants only inquire about their <br />rights because they are intimidated by the violator who is <br />oftentimes a supervisor. He continued that the enforcement of the <br />ordinance takes the form of a letter to the employers or place of <br />business indicating that the City has received a complaint, <br />reminding them of the City's smoking ordinance, and requesting them <br />to take appropriate steps to ensure that non-smokers' rights get <br />preference. He added that complainants are asked to call back if <br />there is no change in the condition within a reasonable period of <br />time, and the City then sends out a Code Enforcement Officer to do <br />some further investigations. <br /> <br /> Ms. Mohr agreed with Mr. Tarver with respect to restricting <br />vending machines but indicated that she had some reservations about <br />a total smoking ban. <br /> <br /> Mr. Mercer concurred that vending machines should be removed <br />from restaurants and restricted to adult areas such as bars. He <br />also agreed with Mr. Tarver's idea regarding a ban on free give- <br />aways. He indicated, however, that he was not prepared at this <br />point to ban smoking entirely in the community because the number <br />of smokers is decreasing, and smoking in public is no longer the <br />problem it used to be. <br /> <br /> Ms. Scribner stated that she was in favor of restricting <br />vending machines to places accessible only to adults and agreed <br />with Mr. Mercer that fewer people smoke in public. She added that <br />most smokers are courteous and would either stop smoking or step <br />out of the room when requested. She indicated that she could <br />consider banning smoking in work places but not in bars and <br />restaurants. <br /> <br /> - 12 - <br /> 8-20-91 <br /> <br /> <br />