By Daily Press staff
If you’re a smoker, chances are you’re going to have a difficult time lighting up anywhere in Santa Monica except in the privacy of your own home.
A new California law went into effect on Jan. 1 that prohibits smoking within 20 feet of any public building, including universities and community colleges.
AB 846, signed into law by former Gov. Gray Davis last year, specifically prohibits smoking within 20 feet of main entrances, exits and windows of any building owned, leased or occupied by the state, county or city.
The state law complements Santa Monica’s anti-smoking stance. The Santa Monica City Council last March voted to ban smoking in its 15 parks because of health risks associated with second-hand smoke and the likelihood that children could ingest discarded cigarette butts.
And the council is currently reviewing a law that would ban smoking on the Santa Monica Pier and at the beach.
At the request of Mayor Richard Bloom, the City Council in November voted 6-1 to have staffers draft two new ordinances outlawing smoking and return the laws to be voted on by council members. The ordinances are expected to be voted on early this year.
Violators could end paying as much as $750 after court fees and penalties. Enforcement is done by random, periodic checks in the parks by the city attorney office’s consumer protection unit and the Santa Monica Police Department.
As far as the statewide law is concerned, it’s anticipated that clear signage and placing ash cans at least 20 feet from affected entrances, exits and windows will make the law virtually self-enforcing.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 3, 2004. Read the original PDF.