The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Tobacco Control research is indicating that banning outdoor smoking is scientifically justified and failure to ban smoking in outdoor venues may expose non-smokers to levels of secondhand smoke as high or higher than received in indoor spaces where smoking is unrestricted. Business owners in private industry and landlords, as well as government agencies, have a legal right to establish reasonable safety policies for their property, including banning smoking indoors and outdoors.

Methods: Californians are adopting smoke-free outdoor policies both voluntary and mandatory in cities,counties and by private businesses across the state. These policies address outdoor areas such as cafes, dining areas, patios, parks, tot lots, waiting lines, concert venues and outdoor markets and community events. Creation of the “The Smoke-Free Outdoors Tool Kit—For the Health of our Community”-BREATH, TECC and the California Department of Health Services-Tobacco Control Section 2003 has made policy and health information accessible and easily to use by health educators, tobacco control advocates, business owners and policymakers..

Results: Over 150 cities in California have smoke-free outdoor policies include Berkeley, Davis, Dublin, Laguna Hills, San Francisco, Fresno, Laguna Woods, Los Gatos, San Ramon and Santa Barbara. Statewide California law now prohibits smoking in parks and tot lots areas and all government building entryways (20 feet) at the local, county and state levels.