As the dangers of secondhand smoke and tobacco use become increasingly well documented, one of the most important steps a community can take to protect its residents’ health is to create more smokefree or tobacco-free spaces.

Increasingly, many California communities are interested in limiting secondhand smoke exposure and tobacco use in outdoor areas such as parks and playgrounds, dining patios, bus stops, and public events. Ordinances prohibiting smoking and tobacco use outdoor also help to reduce tobacco-related litter.

This checklist will help your community consider a range of policy choices when designing a local ordinance regulating smoking and tobacco use in outdoor areas.

You can also download TALC's Smokefree Outdoor Areas Ordinance.