It is the intent of the City Council to control exposure to secondhand smoke, vapors and aerosol by prohibiting smoking and the use of electronic smoking devices at certain locations, in addition to those places where smoking is prohibited by state law. The California Air Resources Board has identified environmental tobacco smoke, or secondhand smoke, as a toxic air contaminant, which may cause and contribute to death or serious illness, including increased risks of cancer, and is especially hazardous to children and people with asthma and other respiratory problems. In addition, the California Department of Public Health has identified electronic smoking device emissions as a health concern for those exposed to secondhand aerosol (also known as vapor), which results in nicotine absorption at levels comparable to secondhand smoke. The intent and purpose of prohibiting smoking and the use of electronic smoking devices at the locations identified in this chapter is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by reducing the number of locations in the city where exposure to secondhand smoke, aerosol and vapors can occur. The provisions of this chapter are intended to be a supplement to existing state law smoking prohibitions and restrictions.
(Ord. No. 2008-009 § 1 (part); Ord. No. 2020-005 § 1 (part))