Council puts off vote on smoking ban

As expected, City Council delayed a vote on expanding the city's smoking ban at its meeting yesterday — and with councilmembers divided between a variety of proposals, it's anyone's guess how the vote will go when it's actually taken. Mayor Bill White, who supports a smoking ban at all enclosed workplaces with exceptions for cigar shops, certain meeting rooms, private functions and a handful of other situations, said things are close:

"I think the majority on council wants to provide more smoke-free areas for employees. I think the majority of council also thinks there ought to be some limited number of places where people can smoke outside their home," he said. "But coming up with that limit has been the thing that's hard to build consensus on."

No kidding. The Chronicle found that six councilmembers said they plan to vote for the proposal White likes; four said they'll vote against it or try to amend it; and five don't know what they'll do. Among the proposed alternatives to the White-supported ban is one from Councilmember Toni Lawrence, who suggested exempting existing businesses that get at least 60 percent of their sales from alcohol, use ventilation systems and post signs letting customers know that smoking can be a health hazard. Under Lawrence's proposal, bars open now would be eligible for that exemption; those that open after Sept. 1, 2007, would have to be smoke-free. Adrian Garcia said he likes that idea because he's worried a full ban would hurt business; Carol Alvarado supports a full ban; and Pam Holm and Jarvis Johnson said they don't like the proposal White supports because it allows too many exceptions. On the other side are Michael Berry and Addie Wiseman, who said they'll vote against any extension of the smoking ban.

So, with at least another week of discussion, expect to see a lot of pressure from the various camps — especially with the lobbyists hired by the pro- and anti-smoking sides. All this tension! Isn't it enough to make you want a cigarette?