SF operators defeat smoking bill

Nation's Restaurant News, June 15, 1992

SAN FRANCISCO - Arguing that the existing loosely defined regulations were working, the Golden Gate Restaurant Association and other operators defeated a proposed county ordinance that would have greatly restricted smoking in restaurants but not in banquet rooms or "bars."

The bill defined bars as establishments deriving at least 60 percent of their revenues from the sale of alcoholic beverages. It was voted down 6-3 by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

If the proposed ordinance had been adopted, it would have limited smoking sections to 40 percent of an "eating establishment's" seating area for two years, after which the allowable size would be reduced to 25 percent. The county's current ordinance requires no-smoking sections but leaves the size of smoking and non-smoking sections to the discretion of the owner.

"One of the issues that made a difference [in defeating the ordinance] was the fact the current [law] is working," said Cecilia Metz, GGRA executive director. "I think we had, at most, a dozen smoke-free restaurants in 1987, when the ordinance was adopted; now there are close to 200. Our argument that the market is adjusting and will take care of itself is a good argument."