Other restaurateurs said the proposal is unrealistic.

"This is still a city of working-class and middle-class people," said George Ravanis, owner of Frank's Steak House. "The real world is not the People's Republic of Cambridge. The working people of Cambridge have earned the right to enjoy their time in their own way."

Helena G. Rees, public-affairs director of the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, pointed out that the town of Chicopee last week revoked its ban on smoking in public places. "We have to be on a level playing field," she added. "We have to be a good competitor with Boston."

Clifford organized a petition drive with more than 5,000 signatures, urging the council to maintain the current laws. In addition, more than 1,000 letters have been sent to City Hall opposing the restrictions.

While not one speaker argued in favor of the proposal, its authors said they weren't surprised.

"We had no plans to speak today," said Kate Dempsey, CUSP coordinator and tobacco-control manager for the city's Department of Human Services.

Dempsey said the health risks associated with smoking provide a compelling reason for the proposal's enactment.

"None of the restaurateurs are talking about the health issues," Dempsey said. She noted that female workers exposed to second-hand smoke are four times as likely to die from lung cancer.

Republican Cutbacks

The council also held a public hearing which drew more than 150 Cantabrigians to discuss cutbacks in social services proposed by Republicans in the House of Representatives.

City officials evaluated two possible cutbacks: a major consolidation of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs into three block grants and possible rescissions of funds granted to the city. A rescission is the reneging of a federal pledge to grant money for a specific purpose.

"It's clear that things in Washington will change," Healy said at the beginning of the hearing. "It will be a different world both in health and human services and in housing for years to come."

In particular, the HUD consolidation--which President Clinton submitted in November--would mean less funding for affordable housing in Cambridge.

The city's success at winning a disproportionately large share of federal funding may prove to hurt the city, as Republicans in Congress insist on a balanced federal budget.

City officials largely condemned the Republican proposals.