Public Health Law and Policy (PHLP) developed this Model Ordinance to help California cities and counties limit tobacco use and unwanted exposure to secondhand smoke in outdoor areas. As the dangers of tobacco use and secondhand smoke become increasingly well documented, one of the most important steps a community can take to protect and improve its residents’ health is to create more smokefree or tobacco-free spaces. By addressing outdoor tobacco use, this Model Ordinance also helps limit tobacco-related litter.

PHLP can help you expand or customize this ordinance for your community. For example, we can provide language to prohibit smoking in all indoor workplaces that are currently exempt from California’s smokefree workplace law (Labor Code section 6404.5). Please contact us at www.phlpnet.org/tobaccoquestions to request assistance.

You can also download the Model Ordinance CHECKLIST: Smokefree Outdoor Areas, which highlights key policy options available in the ordinance.