South City Proposes Downtown Smoke Ban

By Heather Murtagh

South San Francisco already prohibits smoking inside many buildings, like city-owned facilities. Now an ordinance is moving through the city to expand the ban to include sidewalks in the downtown, parks and public events. Expanding the ban arose after complaints of second-hand smoke rose. If approved, the measure would go into effect in September.

“Downtown is more of a neighborhood-oriented shopping area with people walking around,” said Economic Development Coordinator Michael Lappen.

As a result, more families are moving in and spending time in the neighborhood. With the increase of families came the increase of complaints about smoking.

Lappen explained the measure is a health-related measure.

Mayor Mark Addiego was interested in the aspect of reducing litter to create a cleaner downtown but was concerned about unfairly limiting the rights of smokers.

“Apparently smokers are the last element of society it’s OK to prejudice,” Addiego said.

Secondhand smoke is known to cause a number of issues to both children and adults, including premature death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The same 2006 report found short-term exposure can potentially increase the risk of heart attacks.

South San Francisco’s Chamber of Commerce is working with the city on the measure, said CEO Maria Martinucci, who declined further comment on the measure.

Under the proposal, smoking would be prohibited at places of employment, indoor common areas, public places like parks, city buildings and vehicles, elevators, service areas, downtown outdoor public property, downtown dining areas, downtown entryways and exits, and at public events.

It cannot limit, however, smoking downtown on private property facing the small lanes that run throughout the area.

Such a measure would go before the City Council later this month.

South San Francisco is not alone in regulating smoking.

In April, the San Bruno City Council banned smoking inside businesses. The measure came forward after a proposal for a hookah bar was approved by the city. Since it was approved before the rule, the hookah bar will not be affected by it.

In 2006, the Belmont City Council decided to pursue one of the nation’s strictest smoking bans and sparked international attention. The enacted ordinance declared secondhand smoke a public nuisance and extended the city’s ban on smoking to include multi-unit and multi-story residences. The ban that later went into effect requires landlords to put no-smoking clauses into any new or renewed leases. In 2009, Belmont further restricted residents of low-income housing from smoking within their unit — even if it’s a single-family residence.

In California, smoking is banned from all enclosed work places including restaurants and bars. In 2004, smoking was outlawed within 20 feet of the entrance or operable window of a public building, including community college campuses. In 2008, it became illegal for adults to smoke in a moving vehicle while a minor is present.

A community meeting regarding the proposed ordinance will be held 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 6 at the Magnolia Senior Center, 601 Grand Ave. A merchant meeting will be held 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 7 at the Grand Palace Restaurant, 359 Grand Ave. Since the ordinance includes parks, it will be discussed at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting Thursday, July 22.