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Business impact worries hold up smoking ban expansion
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
02/01/10 3:36 PM PST
Legislation that would expand the no-smoking areas in San Francisco was held up Monday by members of the Board of Supervisors Land Use and Economic Development Committee.
During their meeting, committee members echoed concerns voiced recently by business advocates, as reported by the Examiner Monday, that the legislation would adversely impact businesses.
“I absolutely support the intent of the legislation and much of the substance. I think it is absolutely critical that we deal with secondhand smoke as quickly as possible,” said Board of Supervisors President David Chiu.
But Chiu said the impacts on businesses need first to be sorted out, such as those businesses who have invested in creating legal smoking areas, “so we do not snuff those businesses out of business during this great recession that we are going through now.”
The committee will hold a Feb. 22 hearing on the legislation, which was introduced by Supervisor Eric Mar, when amendments to address the business concerns are expected to be voted on.
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