Proposed Smoking Ban For Parks Wins Support

A proposed ban on smoking in city parks and other open-space areas won tentative support Tuesday from a slim majority of City Council members.

Smoking is already prohibited at city beaches and piers.

Mayor Mike Henn, who supported the idea of a ban, said he was concerned less about the effects of smoking on health and more about litter and the potential fire hazard in nature areas.

Councilwoman Leslie Daigle said the council had other priorities to pursue.

"At the end of the day," she said, "I think it comes to people trying to control other peoples behavior."

Also during the Tuesday study session, council members opted not to immediately pursue a plan for metered parking on PCH in Corona del Mar. The council totally dismissed looking into a ban on the use of plastuc bags by retailers.