Posted on 10/11/2006 8:02:50 AM PDT by SmithL
Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier of Concord proposed the idea last year, saying the increased incidence of heart disease and other illnesses linked to smoking cost the county $228 million per year.
The new law, which takes effect Nov. 17, will ban smoking in many outdoor areas, including bus stops, common areas of apartment complexes and near ATM machines. The ordinance only applies to unincorporated areas, such as Alamo, Bay Point and Pacheco, where the county has jurisdiction. East Bay regional parks and Mt. Diablo State Park are not covered.
Many impassioned speakers asked the supervisors to approve the ordinance. Genoveva Sirlopu spoke of her three children with asthma, who grew up around an uncle who constantly smoked.
"Many times I go with the kids to the park and some person is smoking around them," she said. "They say, 'Mommy, I can't be here because I have asthma.' Please help our kids -- they are our future."
Smoking will be prohibited on the campus of the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center in Martinez and county health clinics. Enforcement will be driven by complaints to the county's health department, which can write citations and levy fines.
The ordinance does not specify fine amounts, and DeSaulnier and health officials said they weren't sure how much they would be.
Nearly 900 municipalities across the country restrict smoking in one or more types of outdoor areas such as restaurant patios, stadiums or beaches, according to the American Nonsmokers' Rights Foundation.
In Calabasas, a small town in northern Los Angeles County, leaders banned smoking this year in all outdoor public places -- including sidewalks and parks.
Outside Calabasas, Contra Costa County's law is one of the most comprehensive in California because it bans smoking in several public outdoor areas, said Denice Dennis, the county's tobacco prevention project manager.
"This is a model ordinance," she said. "We know any time we have new policies that restrict smoking a lot of people will quit smoking because there are fewer places to do it. We will have healthier residents in Contra Costa County."
Emeryville, Santa Monica and Marin County are considering similar laws this month. DeSaulnier said he will urge Contra Costa's 19 cities to also pass outdoor public smoking restrictions.
In 1984, Contra Costa County and its cities led the nation in adopting uniform laws to restrict smoking in the workplace. A similar state law followed 14 years later.
"Once again Contra Costa County is showing its leadership when it comes to the health of its residents," Supervisor Federal Glover of Pittsburg said.
I wonder how many Drug Warriors smoke cigarettes. Hope they enjoy a taste of their own medicine.
Sounds like a local cigar club should go on down and light up.
In most cases, just brandishing an unlit cigar is enough to get their knickers in a twist. You get this sidelong, terrified look, then they ask, "You-you-you're not going to LIGHT that, are you?" Or, you get the if-looks-could-kill glare.
Better yet, argue that cars, trucks & buses need to be outlawed because of their polution. It's the same arguement.
No one would go along with that but it's polluting the same air in the same areas.
Puff
Nanny State PING!!!!!!!!!!!
These people are unreal...........and don't for a minute think this is about smoking folks.
I'd bet that it's just a matter of time.
It's like many have said. You give the no smoking NAZIS an inch and they want a mile.
Why? I'm a non-smoker but this bugs me. How could this figure possibly be anything more than wild speculation?
Next stop? Banning smoking in the privacy of your own home. :)
Look, why don't these idiots either defecate or get off the pot. Ban smoking outright, completely. If it's that bad, then ban the product instead of harrassing people.
No surprise here.
Another step by the leftists-doo-doo-gooder-nanny-state-freedom-restriction-power-and-control Wackos to imposed their fascists policies on other freedom loving people.
IS THERE ANY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE IDIOTS AND THE ISLAMOFACISTS? NONE!!!!!
They are not satisfied with "protecting" us from the "evils" of second hand smoke indoors (and in vehicles) but now have stretched this ludicrous(NEVER PROVEN, RAY, WHEREVER YOU ARE) thesis to include all of the "outdoors."
Poor Mommy can't take her Chillllens to the park because someone is smoking and the nasty polluted air is wafting toward the Innocent Chillens from 100 or 1,000 feet and if they breathe in this "OUTDOOR" air, they are going to DIE!!!!.
Geez, give me a F'N BREAK!!!!
And he can say this with a straight face??!!
Thanks for the ping!
Thanks for the ping. What a crock!
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