The City of Santa Barbara on Tuesday took baby steps toward updating its 14-year-old smoking ordinance, which is out of sync with state law, doesn’t address electronic smoking devices or medical marijuana, and is overall far too lenient, according to the American Lung Association. The city received a “D” grade during the health agency's latest assessment of individual communities’ smoking laws. Carpinteria and the county, by contrast, each received “B” grades.
Currently, the only locations where the city prohibits smoking are in outdoor dining areas (except bars, and in 25 percent of outdoor seating at restaurants after 10 p.m.); in public service areas like bus stops and ATMs; and at multi-unit housing complexes operated by the Housing Authority.
Looking at guidelines provided by the American Lung Association and at the smoking laws in nearby jurisdictions, City Hall staff informed councilmembers that they would be within their legal and political bounds if they banned smoking at all outdoor restaurant and bar seating at all times; near the doors and windows of buildings where smoking isn’t allowed; at festivals, parades, and farmer’s markets; at beaches, parks, and sports fields; along Stearns Wharf and the harbor; in parking structures and lots; on sidewalks in the downtown area and other commercial corridors; at construction sites; and in multiunit apartment buildings.