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Secondhand Smoke Resources

Outdoor Tobacco Smoke

“Failure to ban smoking in outdoor public venues may expose non-smokers to levels of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) as high or higher than received in indoor spaces where smoking is unrestricted." (James Repace, "Banning Outdoor Smoking is Scientifically Justifiable", Tobacco Control Digest, March 2000)

The California State Legislature has protected tot lots and play areas in parks as well as the entrances and exits of government buildings from secondhand smoke. Many cities and counties have taken even greater steps to reduce or eliminate secondhand smoke from outdoor venues, including outdoor dining and beaches.

General Information

Beaches

Several cities in Southern California have already banned smoking on city beaches, including Santa Monica , Malibu , Solano Beach , San Clemente , Huntington Beach and Carpinteria. Los Angeles has banned smoking on the 13 miles of beach under their jurisdiction. The central coast city of Carmel has also made their beaches smoke-free.

Parks

As of January 1, 2003 , children and their families have a 25-foot safe zone around playgrounds and toddler sandbox areas by state law. Kids should be able to play without being directly exposed to the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. It's common sense to protect children where they play and socialize. Many cities and counties in California are taking the next step to protect their communities by creating outdoor smoke-free ordinances. These range from smoke-free public places and events ( Davis ), to smoke-free recreation areas ( Rancho Cucamonga ), to completely smoke-free parks ( San Fernando ). Your support for a smoke-free ordinance in your city will make a difference in the health and welfare of all community members.

Outdoor Dining

Californians are adopting smoke-free outdoor policies addressing outdoor areas such as cafes, dining areas, patios, outdoor markets and community events in cities and counties across the state. Cities adopting smoke-free outdoor dining areas include Santa Barbara , Laguna Hills and Laguna Woods (both in Orange County ), Davis , Dublin , Los Gatos , San Ramon and Berkeley to mention a few.

Entryway

All property owners – individuals and companies - -have a legal right to eliminate smoking entirely on their property (indoors and outdoors) or to limit smoking to designated outdoor areas only