By Jonathan Friedman

August 16, 2010 -- The City Council last week voted to expand the pier smoking ban to cover the entire structure. People are currently allowed to smoke in nine designated areas on the pier. The new rule is expected to take effect in the fall.

City staff recommended the structure-wide ban because of the fire risk. Andy Agle, director of Housing and Economic Development, said there have been two fires on the pier in the past four months. One on April 30 caused approximately 30 square feet of damage and another on May 11 destroyed about 50 square feet of the pier.

“Such fire dangers put public safety as well as the pier businesses and the pier itself at risk,” Agle said.

Ben Franz-Knight, executive director of the Pier Restoration Corporation, said it would cost about $57 million to rebuild the pier if it were destroyed in a fire. And that would only cover the structure itself.

Smoking in Santa Monica is currently prohibited in parks, beaches, outdoor dining areas, farmers markets, the Third Street Promenade and outdoor waiting areas. Those visiting the pier who want to smoke will have to walk to Ocean Front Walk, the pedestrian pathway that runs north and south of the Pier.

“What we have been told, and what I know is true, is that the fire safety issue is so great that the people who do business on the pier are willing to inconvenience their own customers and tell them they have to walk all the way back to Ocean Front Walk rather than risk a cigarette dropping between the planks on the pier and setting our pier on fire,” Council member Kevin McKeown said.

The City will provide new signage and reprint existing education materials at a cost of $5,000 to inform people about the ban. Council member Bob Holbrook said some visitors do not speak English, and a kind warning from police officers would be good enough for those people. He said enforcement should only be done with those who are obviously trying to defy the law.