Committee targeting outdoor smoking in LA

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- A member of a Los Angeles arts and parks committee says his group is attempting to have cigarette smoking banned from certain outdoor sites in the city.

Arts, Parks, Health and Aging Committee Chairman Tom LaBonge, who is also a Los Angeles councilman, said the possible ban would impact the outdoor patios at Los Angeles cafes, restaurants and coffee shops, the Los Angeles Times said Thursday.

"The patrons are really demanding it," LaBonge said. "One day we'll be an absolutely smoke-free world as we move forward, but people still enjoy it, so we're still allowing it."

The ordinance would not impact bars and other over-18 venues that feature outdoor patios.

The city committee began preparing the smoking ban proposal Wednesday with the help of city lawyers, the Times reported.

Los Angeles has already banned smoking in most indoor public locales and on city-run golf courses and other specially designated areas.