Bill
to snuff out smoking in businesses and
parking lots
By
Mario Burciaga
Online Forty-Niner
Staff Writer
Congresswoman Jenny Oropeza, D-Carson, introduced the Common Area Smoking Ban
Bill Feb. 16, which will expand the ban on public smoking if passed into law.
The bill will prohibit smoking in areas of employment and covered parking lots,
including common areas such as lobbies, lounges, waiting areas, elevators,
stairwells and restrooms that are a structural part of covered parking lots
or subject to smoking prohibition.
Oropeza, a former two-time president of Associated Students Inc. at Cal State
Long Beach, 1979-81, was unavailable for comment but issued a memo Feb. 28
regarding the bill.
“
By adding common-use areas to the definition of enclosed spaces, AB 2067 will
clean up the law while cleaning up the air,” Oropeza said.
“
There have been just too many instances where someone has been forced to hold
their breath while passing through these areas. This bill is not a matter of
common courtesy; it’s about defending a quality of life.”
According to the CSULB Web site, the university campus is in accordance with
the governor’s executive order that says no smoking shall be permitted
within 20 feet of an exterior entrance to or exit from a building room including
any air intake vent. Smoking is prohibited within 20 feet of any structure
except the covered area in front of the Nugget, the small plaza in front of
the psychology building, the plaza in front of the Beach Hut or any of the
adjacent benches.
“
No employer shall knowingly or intentionally permit, and no person shall engage
in, the smoking of tobacco products in an enclosed space at a place of employment,” the
bill states.
Even though California already has laws in place prohibiting smoking in certain
areas, if passed, the bill will amend the law by implementing new restrictions
and at the same time punishing violators.
Any violation of the bill will result in a fine no larger than $100 for a first
violation; $200 for a second violation within a year, and $500 for a third
and each subsequent infraction within one year, according to the bill.
Third year business major, Raymond Montes said he sees students smoking everywhere
on campus regardless of location.
“
It’s not so bad because it’s not like I smoke all the time, plus
I just have a smoke when I want to,” he said. “I don’t think
who ever is going to be in charge of punishing smokers is going to be able
to catch them all.””
According to Oropeza’s Web site, the congresswoman has had her share
of bills signed into law-a resolved insurance dispute that currently saves
California $500 million a year, improving port security, and giving neighborhoods
and cities more local control over the sale of alcoholic beverages.
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