Engine control assemblies for use with internal combustion engines, engines having such assemblies, and methods for operating such engines and assemblies are disclosed. In one example embodiment of an engine control assembly encompassed herein, the assembly includes a lever structure configured to rotate to any of a plurality of positions ranging from a first position to a second position. The assembly also includes at least one linking structure configured to allow rotational movement of the lever structure to influence at least indirectly an engine choking operation, where the at least one linking structure including a rod that includes a bend portion along its length, and the lever structure includes a formation with an orifice through which the rod extends. The rod and formation are configured so that at least some other rotational movement of the lever structure does not cause any corresponding movement of the choke actuation input structure.