“The ban is part of a city-wide ‘Go Green’ effort, as well as a response to several complaints that have come from the community,” stated Councilwoman and former Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner.
Heebner supported the ban.
Solana Beach is now the fifth city in San Diego County to enact a smoking ban covering outdoor dining areas. The others are National City, El Cajon, Encinitas and Chula Vista.
“We were the first to put away smoking on beaches in California and we want to be out in front on this as well,” Heebner said.
The ordinance came via a request by Councilmen David Roberts and Joe Kellejian.
It bans smoking not only on restaurant and bar patios but also at playgrounds, children’s play areas, farmers markets and within the boundaries of the Coastal Rail Trail.
Heebner hopes to take that a step further as well.
“I’m hoping to add street fairs to the ban too,” Heebner stated.
Heebner revealed that the city has had problems with cigarette butt pollution as well, and hopes that this ban will help cut down on that increase.
Furthermore, ordinance will establish a new citywide licensing program for tobacco retailers, however the license fee for those retailers has yet to be set.
With several cities and counties in California leading the “Go Green” effort nationally, Heebner sees Solana Beach’s patio ban as falling right in line with other localities.
“I think it’s going to be welcomed by the community,” Heebner said.
Andrew Carico can be reached at acarico@publicceo.com