To: City of Tustin
No smoking in public areas
Prohibit smoking anywhere in public spaces within city limits, including public sidewalks, alleys, and in parking lots.
Why is this important?
DANA POINT, CA — Don't ask for a light, don't try to bum a smoke; not in Dana Point, or Laguna Beach. The new citywide smoking ban was passed this week at Dana Point's city council meeting. The new law will prohibit smoking anywhere in public spaces within city limits, including public sidewalks, alleys and in parking lots. And especially on beaches.
The vote passed, 3-2, with both mayor Pro Tem Joe Muller and Mayor Rick Viczorek opposing the law. The no smoking ordinance, originally introduced by Councilwoman Debra Lewis in May of 2017, will be enforceable in February, according to the council.
"Three out of four residents want this passed. It's our role to protect the health and welfare of our residents," Lewis stated before the vote was cast. Residents spoke on the ban, with fourteen supporting and one arguing in a dissenting voice.
Residents spoke up on behalf of the ban, one bringing with him an enormous water jug filled with found cigarette butts he said were found around the city.
South OC's Surfrider Foundation displayed the jug that held roughly 3,000 cigarette butts discovered in less than two hours on a Saturday of beach clean up. He promised to open the bottle to reveal the stench if anyone wanted, but also warned the smell would clear the room.
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"These are toxic packages that go into the environment," Rick Erkeneff, also of Surfrider Foundation, told all in attendance. "We spent $20 million on beautifying, and planters are full of cigarette butts. When you don't have a clean environment, you'll see the tourism dollars drop off."
Signage will be the next thing to follow, at the 12 entrances into Dana Point, informing visitors and residents of the ban.
Dana Point City Council Meeting Video photo
The vote passed, 3-2, with both mayor Pro Tem Joe Muller and Mayor Rick Viczorek opposing the law. The no smoking ordinance, originally introduced by Councilwoman Debra Lewis in May of 2017, will be enforceable in February, according to the council.
"Three out of four residents want this passed. It's our role to protect the health and welfare of our residents," Lewis stated before the vote was cast. Residents spoke on the ban, with fourteen supporting and one arguing in a dissenting voice.
Residents spoke up on behalf of the ban, one bringing with him an enormous water jug filled with found cigarette butts he said were found around the city.
South OC's Surfrider Foundation displayed the jug that held roughly 3,000 cigarette butts discovered in less than two hours on a Saturday of beach clean up. He promised to open the bottle to reveal the stench if anyone wanted, but also warned the smell would clear the room.
Subscribe
"These are toxic packages that go into the environment," Rick Erkeneff, also of Surfrider Foundation, told all in attendance. "We spent $20 million on beautifying, and planters are full of cigarette butts. When you don't have a clean environment, you'll see the tourism dollars drop off."
Signage will be the next thing to follow, at the 12 entrances into Dana Point, informing visitors and residents of the ban.
Dana Point City Council Meeting Video photo