LOS ANGELES, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Los Angeles moved a step closer on Tuesday to a statewide ban on smoking in California.

    Under a proposal, smoking will be banned, beginning on Oct. 1, in nearly all outdoor dining areas in the Beverly Hills area near downtown Los Angeles.

    The Beverly Hills City Council gave final approval to the proposal despite objections from restaurant owners who say it would hurt their businesses.

    The proposal was intended to provide a healthier environment and cleaner air for diners and pedestrians, according to Robin Chancellor, the city's director of communications.

    The proposal is opposed by the Beverly Hills Restaurant Association, whose members feel the ban could hurt their business and cost Beverly Hills sales tax revenue, according to Executive Director Rudy Cole.

    Cole said he would support a statewide ban on smoking in outdoor dining areas, which would put Beverly Hills restaurants on "a more even playing field."

    The council agreed with the association to delay implementation of the measure until Oct. 1 so it would not affect the throngs of European tourists expected this summer, Cole said.

    Smoking is banned in restaurants under California state law. Other areas like Burbank, Calabasas and Santa Monica have adopted outdoor smoking bans.

    An exception to the ban is that hotels would be allowed to permit smoking in 25 percent of their poolside dining areas, Chancellor said.

    The Beverly Hills proposal provides for a 100-dollar fine for the first offense, a 200-dollar fine for a second offense within one year and a 500-dollar fine for each additional violation within one year.