Local News in Brief : Smoking Law Deadline

The Beverly Hills City Council, responding to complaints from restaurant owners that its anti-smoking ordinance is too costly and may destroy the ambiance of their establishments, Tuesday extended by 90 days the deadline for owners to submit floor plans showing how they intend to comply.

During that time, the council is expected to consider amending the ordinance to allow exemptions for financial or architectural hardships.

In March, the city adopted an ordinance that banned smoking in all restaurants with 50 or more seats. Four months later, the council softened the law to allow restaurants to set aside as many as half of their tables for smokers if ventilation systems and walls were installed. Owners were to submit plans by Dec. 15 showing how they intended to comply with the law. The new deadline is March 15.