LA MIRADA- The city council voted unanimously to adopt a city ordinance prohibiting smoking of any type at La Mirada city parks and facilities.The ban was approved because of growing concern from the public on the danger presented by secondhand smoke.
La Mirada becomes one of close to 400 local cities and counties in the state having bans in place.
The American Lung Association recently gave La Mirada a grade of 'F' in it's survey on local tobacco control measures.
A violation of the ordinance is an infraction and could result in an administrative citation with a fine of $100 for the first offense, a fine of $200 for the second violation in a 12-month period, and a $500 penalty each additional citation in a year.
The new rules will be enforced by sheriff's deputies, and by city code enforcement and public safety officers. Most violators will receive a warning before being ticketed.
Included in the ban is also use of vaping devices, electronic cigarettes, pipes, or any device that creates a smoke or vapor.
There is a 30-day period to start that will feature a public awareness campaign and only warnings being issued, to allow time for patrons to become aware of the new restrictions,
An anti-smoking ordinance has been in place for years at the county-owned Regional Park and state laws already forbid smoking on school campuses, near playgrounds, and withing 250 feet of any youth sports event.
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