Santa Monica : Smoking Ban Extended

The City Council on Tuesday agreed to extend its ban on smoking in public places to include City Hall, but it delayed including the police station in the ban after officers expressed reservations, noting that providing cigarettes is sometimes part of the interrogation process.

The city staff was directed to return with a proposal that would allow smoking on such occasions and in some places within the police station, but still ban smoking in most public areas of the facility.

Smoking is already banned in most public places in the city. Restaurants that do not prohibit it are required to provide separate areas for smokers and nonsmokers.