See Also:

• Thursday, February 9, 2012
  E.P. Carrillo's Newest Line Combines Maduro and Natural
• Monday, February 6, 2012
  Room 101 Takes Aim with OSOK
• Tuesday, January 31, 2012
  Eddie Ortega, President of EOBrands, Resigns
• Tuesday, January 31, 2012
  Indianapolis Council Passes Smoking Ban, Mayor Vows Veto
• Monday, January 30, 2012
  New Padrón— 60 Ring No. 4
• More from News & Features

Backer of L.A. Smoking Ban Loses

Alejandro Benes
Posted: November 5, 2008

The man who wants to ban most outdoor smoking in Los Angeles lost his bid yesterday to become more powerful as a county supervisor in California's most populous jurisdiction. Bernard Parks, a Los Angeles councilman and former L.A. police chief, could not ride what many called "small issues" like the smoking ban to an electoral victory over term-limited state Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas. Ridley-Thomas won the race with 61 percent of the vote to Parks's 38.6 percent.

Money problems plagued Parks's efforts. Late in the campaign he tapped his council "discretionary account" for a spaghetti dinner to garner support.

The future of any smoking ban proposal is unclear, but not necessarily dead as a result of Parks's defeat. Ridley-Thomas received tobacco industry contributions for past state Senate campaigns.