Citywide tobacco sales ban considered
The Manhattan Beach City Council will consider a citywide ban of tobacco sales in what Councilperson Steve Napolitano called “a logical next step” after banning smoking in public places five years ago. The Council on Tuesday night directed staff to research the impacts of such a ban and bring it back on an upcoming council agenda in the form of a possible ordinance. The action came on the same night that Beverly Hills became the first city in the nation to pass an ordinance banning the sale of tobacco products within its city limits. Napolitano, who along with Councilperson Richard Montgomery proposed that Manhattan Beach engage in a preliminary exploration of such an ordinance, said that the impetus was less about following Beverly Hills than following the city’s own logic in its 2014 smoking ban. “We banned smoking in all public places in the city,” Napolitano said. “Why do we allow tobacco sales anywhere in the city?” Councilperson Suzanne Hadley opposed the consideration of a ban. She argued that although “Chardonnay is my drug of choice,” alcohol is just as dangerous as tobacco. Hadley said that attempting to legislate individual choices is a step towards becoming a “nanny…
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