Manhattan Beach, Calif. To Vote on Tobacco Retailer Licenses, Smoking Ban for Multi-Unit Residences

The Manhattan Beach City Council is scheduled to vote on a pair of tobacco related ordinances at its Sept. 15 meeting, one that will require new licenses for tobacco retailers and a second proposal to ban smoking in multi-unit residences. The new license would be in addition to the one currently required by the state, and would also restrict where new tobacco retailers could be locating, suggesting a minimum of 1,000 feet from schools and 500 feet from other tobacco retailers. The council is said to be considering an additional provision that would create minimum distances from parks and youth-oriented facilities, according to EasyReaderNews.com. As for smoking in multi-unit housing, the report states that the council appears to be in favor of banning smoking both indoors and outdoors as well as prohibiting designated smoking areas in these types of homes. If passed, the ban would likely go into effect within 18 months. The city expanded its smoking ban in June 2014 to cover public property, streets, alleys, sidewalks and parking lots, as well as on the outdoor dining areas of restaurants. Manhattan Beach is located in southwestern Los Angeles county and has approximately 35,000 residents.