Santa Monica Smoking Ban Takes Effect Today

smdp.com:

CITY HALL -- You no longer have to leave the safety of your own home to violate a Santa Monica anti-smoking law.

As of today, it's illegal to smoke outdoors within 25-feet of any apartment building door, window or vent -- a rule aimed at preventing smokers from lighting up on patios and balconies of multi-unit residential properties.

The new law was uncontroversial when it came before the City Council recently. Mayor Bobby Shriver, who said he supported the concept of the balcony and patio ban but felt the ordinance should have gone further by requiring landlords to designate certain units as non-smoking, cast the only dissenting vote.

Read the whole story: smdp.com

Comments

[LittleMittens]

10:48 AM on 09/10/2010

Yeah! Finally!

[planetmondo]

05:07 AM on 09/10/2010

your right venicedread, where are the tea party? this is lobbing them a softball and see if they swing at it
Carly Fiorina wants people on the no fly list to have semi-automatic machine guns so why doesn't she grab a bullhorn and protest this? your either ape$#!t about personal rights or your not.

[KIVPossum]

04:31 AM on 09/10/2010

Good lord, if someone stands on their balcony and lights up, the smoke waifing to my balcony is not going to kill me. Smokers need to recognize the rights of non-smokers. Non-smokers need to get off their holy high horse

[Venicedread]

06:28 PM on 09/09/2010

Where is the Tea Party movement on this one?
Talk about government infringing on your rights!
It's things like this that makes Santa Monica such a horrible place.
They go way too far with their laws and the cops are mean too.
It's funny because the best place on earth is the next town over.
Ahhh Venice!

[BluWoman]

08:13 PM on 09/09/2010

Venice OG here too.

I'll be at Nikkis in a little while, enjoying Happy Hour
OneLuv

[Gus314159]

05:52 PM on 09/09/2010

This law can only mean one thing, now every pack of cigarettes should come with a built in 26 foot tape measure to make sure citizens are able to comply with the law.

[Schmaltzy the Golem]

05:39 PM on 09/09/2010

I just don't understand why the Tobacco companies haven't come up with disposable syringe delivered nicotine dose packs. No smoke,no fire danger. Of course you would need sharps containers all over the place.

[moderndaywarrior]

04:55 PM on 09/09/2010

From a business standpoint, I can see local business owners and property managers looking the other way. Lot's of paying customers and renters smoke. Bottom line first. It's a stupid law anyway.

[IndyFem]

03:42 PM on 09/09/2010

Just another attempt of government to pit citizens against one another....

[pinkladee]

12:26 AM on 09/10/2010

X2 .... A Super Ridiculous Law!!!

[Fnordpocalypse]

03:22 PM on 09/09/2010

What happens to MMJ useres in Santa Monica? Can they not medicate at home anymore?

[BluWoman]

08:18 PM on 09/09/2010

Prop 215/SB420 already addresses that issue.

If somebody else can smell your smoke, then you are in violation.

Not to mention, there's other ways to medicate with MMJ, such as consuming edibles.

[drdubski]

09:54 AM on 09/10/2010

vaporizers aren't stinky

[BluWoman]

11:38 AM on 09/10/2010

They still let off odors though. Particularly when you are using a large ballon.

[Frog in a pot]

03:07 PM on 09/09/2010

Electric cigarettes.Cheaper ,.healthier and no smell.I went from smoking a pack a day at more than 8 bucks a pack to 20 bucks a week.I havent had a real cigarette since and havent wanted one either.

[aristippe]

02:58 PM on 09/09/2010

This law is obscene.

[Jenny Lens]

02:45 PM on 09/09/2010

ONLY controversial because it's toothless. One tenant has to sue another. MANY apt owners never bother to inform tenants of the law nor remedies. I've given copies of info from Seascape (the city's official newspaper, which is how I found out about previous ordinance). I've been sworn at and threatened.

Lately it hasn't been bad in my bldg, but I hate the fact the responsibility is TOTALLY on the tenants. It's horrible to pitch one tenant against another. Although in my case, it's THREE units vs ONE smoking unit. BUT WE have to take the time and money to sue!

On the streets: any idea how DANGEROUS to tell smoke-addicted strangers about this law??

Bus stops: City puts teeny, tiny little stickers way at top of bus posts, which no one sees.

Outside restaurants: NEVER ANY signs informing customers, and employees ignore me. How many times have I passed smokers right outside bars and restaurants? I am supposed to call police. By the time they come, smokers have moved on.

I walk ALL the time, w/several bus trips to beach for errands. Law is TOOTHLESS in reality. City hired some dufus graphics agency to inform people. NO ones see it!

They need simple signage stating: NO SMOKING AT BUS STOPS. NO SMOKING OUTSIDE RESTAURANTS/BARS. MANDATE biz owners must post LARGE SIGNAGE. Right under Grading system signs. Peeps read that! City needs to provide exact text Apt Owners MUST send to tenants or face a fine themselves!

[GoDogGo]

02:35 PM on 09/09/2010

Anyone know if this applies to duplexes? My house is next to one renting to a patio smoker. 

Just wondering. Thx in advance. 

[FTracy3]

06:07 PM on 09/09/2010

How ironic. He was on here earlier asking questions about neighbors with dogs.