ENCINITAS — The Encinitas City Council will consider adopting a smoking ban ordinance next month that would prohibit smoking in most public spaces, city officials have confirmed.
Next month, the council will hear from city staff about the proposed ordinance, which would ban smoking in all public spaces, places of employment and within 20 feet of any door, window, opening or vent into a public space.
The proposed ordinance would permit smoking on private residential property, up to 20% of hotel/motel rooms, and inside a moving vehicle.
In September, the City Council voted 4-0 to direct city staff to develop an ordinance to expand the city’s existing smoking ban in public places, including sidewalks and roadways. The council was responding to a staff report from the city’s Environmental Commission that portrayed the risks posed by cigarettes to human health and ecosystems.
“Tobacco products pose a major threat to our local and global marine ecosystems. Worldwide, tobacco waste is the number one item picked up in beach cleanups; an estimated 4.5 trillion cigarette butts are removed from environments including beaches,” the staff report read. “In San Diego County, cigarette butts (which include filters) are the number one debris item picked up from our beaches.” In addition, smoking costs California $13.29 billion annually due to healthcare expenses, the report adds.
The commission said the ban could also result in fewer addicted smokers and positive impacts on local tourism.
“Reduced access could result in fewer minors becoming smokers. Second, making it more difficult to smoke in common areas of the city may result in more smokers choosing to quit. These outcomes would, in turn, result in a reduction in smoking-related health costs. Third, there may be a reduction in the cleanup costs of removing this pollutant from the environment. Fourth, reducing cigarette butt pollution will beautify the city and could positively impact tourism.”
The commission has recommended the council adopt an ordinance modeled on other Southern California coastal cities, including Manhattan Beach, which prohibits smoking of all tobacco products in public spaces. However, the City of Manhattan Beach ordinance exempts private residential properties and moving vehicles.
Most residents questioned for comment on this story expressed support for adopting such an ordinance in Encinitas. However, some expressed concern that such a move would constitute governmental overreach and infringe on citizens’ civil liberties.
“Many areas have banned smoking in public but banning in private space, such as work (private employer) or 20 feet into private space, is a bit of an overreach,” said resident David Newman, who formerly ran a cannabis business in North County. “Although precedence has already been set with banning smoking in restaurants and bars, those are private businesses, and if they want to allow smoking, they should be able to — if a customer does not like it, they don’t have to patron the business.”
Former mayoral candidate Michael Blobe feared that such an ordinance could lead to a slippery slope of moralist legislation from city government.
“I say we stop banning just anything,” Blobe said. “How about a fine for littering instead? They would be outraged if you banned something that hits home for them. Ok, so let’s ban alcohol, guns, sweets and fast food because it’s bad for you, lottery tickets (gambling), and loud music at all times of day (no parties). I could keep going, but you can see how ridiculous this is.”
The Coast News contacted several council members for comment on this story but was informed they did not want to predispose their views on the subject ahead of January’s vote.
Public comments can be provided up to January 9th in advance of the meeting via email at [email protected].
1 comment
The ban absolutely must include marijuana, which is even more obnoxious that tobacco.
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