California IN BRIEF : SACRAMENTO : Tobacco Control Bill Sidetracked

Saying the bill was “hopelessly awash in innuendo,” Sen. Charles Calderon (D-Whittier) said he would not seek approval this year of tobacco control legislation now the subject of unusual controversy. Calderon said his decision stems from this week’s release of an internal tobacco industry memo implying that Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) helped coach cigarette executives on how to craft a bill that preempts local smoking regulations. But Assemblyman Gerald Felando (R-San Pedro) said he still intends to push for the measure when it comes up for a hearing soon before the Assembly Ways and Means Committee. Felando actually wrote the bill and is the driving force behind the legislation in the Assembly.