Santa Barbara is now a smoke-free city

Santa Barbara has joined several other cities in Southern California in banning smoking. After months of discussion and public input, the City adopted a new ordinance to become a smoke-free city.

Smoking includes tobacco, marijuana, and electronic vaping devices. The city hopes the new law will provide a healthy, family-friendly, and clean environment for residents and visitors. City officials also say the ban is meant to reduce risk to public safety in the way of fires that cigarettes can cause at Stearns Wharf.

The law is currently in effect with signage planned for installing on sidewalks and other outdoor areas in early 2018.

Smoking is prohibited in the following areas:

Beaches Parks, including sports fields, open spaces, and trails Sidewalks and paseos citywide in commercial and residential areas City parking structures and lots Stearns Wharf Outdoor restaurant patios before 10 p.m. Outdoor recreational areas and sports facilities, community centers, and library plazas Events open to the public

However, restaurants will have the option of allowing smoking after 10 p.m. Smoking will also be allowed in bar patios at all hours and the municipal golf course between the first and 18th holes.

The city will use verbal warnings and public education as the primary means of enforcement. For more information, including a copy of the actual ordinance, visit https://www.santabarbaraca.gov/services/community/smoking/.

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