A proposal that some call the world's toughest ban on smoking is being debated under close scrutiny in the Northern California city of Belmont, the San Francisco Chronicle reported March 13.

The Belmont City Council is debating whether to ban smoking from multiunit apartments and taxicabs as well as other public indoor spaces and within 20 feet of any public building, on public streets, and in public parks. "When our neighbor is smoking on the balcony, it takes about two seconds for the smoke to reach our apartment," said Sheila Strand. "I'm really glad you are addressing this issue."

But local restaurant owner Loring De Martini said the measure, which would effectively ban smoking anywhere near his eatery, would have a "terrible effect" on business and cause patrons to choose restaurants in other towns.

Mary Pack, who opposes the ban, said that the measure should be put before city voters. "The five of you are making such a monumental decision that will resonate around the world," she said. "It just doesn't cut it with me."

"Belmont may be a bellwether in terms of its approach to secondhand smoke in housing," said Serena Chen, policy director for the American Lung Association in the Bay Area, who says 90 percent of the complaints she gets about secondhand smoke are from apartment dwellers.