As the dangers of secondhand tobacco smoke become increasingly well documented, one of the most important steps a community can take to improve the health of its residents 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 beaches and coastlines. By addressing tobacco use outdoors, an ordinance prohibiting smoking or all tobacco use on beaches also helps limit 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 on beaches.

You can also download TALC's model Smokefree Beaches Ordinance.