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THE CALABASAS CITY
COUNCIL unanimously voted to adopt a Comprehensive Secondhand
Smoke Control Ordinance. The ordinance, which went into effect on
March 17, 2006, limits public exposure to secondhand smoke in public
areas within the City. This page provides a brief introduction to
the ordinance, an overview of signs you may see related to the
ordinance, and some facts about the dangers of secondhand smoke
exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions about the
Comprehensive Second-Hand Smoke Control Ordinance
Has
the City of Calabasas banned smoking?
No. The purpose of
the Comprehensive Secondhand Smoke Control Ordinance is to
limit public exposure to second-hand smoke in public areas
within the City.
Where is smoking prohibited?
Smoking is
prohibited in all public places in the City of Calabasas where
other persons can be exposed to second-hand smoke. These places
include indoor and outdoor businesses, hotels, parks, apartment
common areas, restaurants and bars where people can be
reasonably expected to congregate or meet.
Can
/ smoke in my house or apartment? Can I smoke on my balcony?
Yes. The only
exception is if your apartment, backyard, or balcony is directly
adjacent to a common area, such as a laundry room or pool.
What are "Designated Smoking Areas" and how can my business apply
for one?
Under terms of the
ordinance, business owners may apply with the City to install a
marked "Designated Smoking Area" which designates an area for
smoking that is a reasonable distance from non-smokers. Forms
will be available on the planning department website beginning
in April 2006. There is no cost to apply for approval of a
"Designated Smoking Area."
What should I do if l witness someone violating the ordinance?
If you are at a
business, retail store or restaurant, please ask an employee to
enforce the ordinance. If you are walking down the street or in
another public place, you can ask the smoker to extinguish their
cigarette, cigar or pipe. If you are uncomfortable doing so, or
the person refuses your request, please feel free to contact
City code enforcement at (818) 224-1723 or (818) 224-1724.
What if my place of business doesn't have a Designated Smoking Area?
Where should I go to smoke?
It will take some
time for most businesses to set up their "Designated Smoking
Areas." Until then, select an area at least 20 feet away from
any path of travel, doorway, or place where people congregate.
Remember that if someone complains, you will need to select a
new location, or refrain
from smoking.
What is the consequence if I offend others by smoking?
The ordinance
provides a variety of methods of enforcement ranging from
warnings, to tickets, to lawsuits. The ordinance can be enforced
by the City or by private parties who have given notice to the
City. The City expects to rely on warnings and tickets for most
offenders but will consider more serious penalties for willful
or repeat offenders.
Where can I find out more information about the ordinance?
The
ordinance text is
available online.
You can also contact the
City directly at (818) 224-1600 and speak to a staff member who
can answer your questions.
To
submit a question, please
send an email to
info@cityofcalabasas.com.
Frequently Asked Questions about Secondhand Smoke
What is secondhand smoke?
Secondhand
smoke, is the combination of two forms of smoke from burning
tobacco products: sidestream smoke and mainstream smoke.
Sidestream smoke, which makes up about half of all secondhand
smoke, comes from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or
pipe. Mainstream smoke is exhaled by the smoker. Exposure to
secondhand smoke is also called involuntary smoking or passive
smoking.
What chemicals are
present in secondhand smoke?
More than
4,000 chemicals have been identified in mainstream tobacco
smoke; however, the actual number may be more than 100,000. Of
the chemicals identified in secondhand smoke, at least 60 are
carcinogens (substances that cause cancer), such as
formaldehyde. Six others are substances that interfere with
normal cell development, such as nicotine and carbon monoxide.
Following is a partial list of chemicals found in tobacco smoke:
Ammonia Acetone, Tar Toluene, Arsenic Cyanide, Formaldehyde,
Methane Nicotine, Carbon Monoxide
What are the health
effects of exposure to secondhand smoke?
Secondhand
smoke exposure is a known risk factor for lung cancer.
Approximately 3,000 lung cancer deaths occur each year among
adult non-smokers in the United States as a result of exposure
to secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke is also linked to nasal
sinus cancer. Some research suggests an association between
secondhand smoke and cancers of the cervix, breast, and bladder.
However, more research is needed in order to confirm a link to
these cancers.
For further
information
www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/ETS
www.elpasocountyhealth.org/tobacco/2nd_hand_smoke.pdf
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