Redwood City restricts smoking in public areas

The public health initiative to ban smoking in the public rights-of way is just one of the efforts the city is undertaking in regards to its tobacco regulations, Economic Development Manager Amanda Anthony said. City staff will return in coming months to present its findings on permitting tobacco retailers in the city.

Public polling and scientific data on secondhand smoke demonstrated a desire to restrict tobacco use in areas where patrons congregate.

Secondhand smoke has negative public health impacts, even when the exposure occurs outdoors, and to avoid the harm a person must be 20 to 29 feet away from the source, Anthony said.

“Secondhand smoke is a real problem, it’s toxic, it kills and I’m glad we are addressing it,” Councilmember Diane Howard said it’s not only a health issue.

“How about the loss of income to a business next door that has to be absorbing the secondhand smoke because people will decide not to go there anymore,” she said.

City staff did not recommend further restrictions to places like public sidewalks because they felt it would be too restrictive, Anthony said, but will likely look toward establishing designated smoking areas in the future.

“This is an addiction and people do need a place to smoke, so let’s treat this with grace,” Anthony said.

Previously, smoking was prohibited in Redwood City in all indoor spaces, in or around multiunit residences, city parks and Courthouse Square. Along with San Carlos, Redwood City has been one of the more lenient when compared to similar cities nearby in regards to regulation of tobacco use in public areas.

The matter of enforcement was questioned by councilmembers Chris Sturken and Marcella Padilla. Redwood City Police Chief Kristina Bell said officers often use discretion when issuing citations.

“What is the extent of prohibition and enforcement in this ordinance that we can implement without coming down hardest on the communities targeted by the makers of these products,” Sturken said.

Sturken proposed a friendly amendment that police must issue a written warning before any fiscal penalties are inflicted, and was seconded by Padilla, but the motion ultimately failed.

Fellow councilmembers said they felt the Redwood City police officers should use their judgment, and felt they would likely issue warnings before citations, still.

The public should not call 911 to report people smoking in prohibited areas, Bell added, but could call the nonemergency number, (650) 780-7118, instead. However, officers must witness the smoking in person to issue any sort of citation, and it will likely be a warning at first.

The staff recommended ordinance to restrict smoking in pedestrian malls and in front of restaurants and bars was approved 5-2, with Sturken and Padilla opposing.