Politics & Government

City Smoking Laws to be Reviewed

Council asked city staff Tuesday to look at revisions that can further regulate smoking in public areas

Fremont may be moving toward becoming smoke free in more public areas.

City councilmembers voted Tuesday to allow city staff to review its current smoking ordinance and suggest how to better regulate smoking to reduce secondhand smoke in public places throughout the city. Councilman Dominic Dutra was not in attendance.

The recommendation to reanalyze the city’s smoking laws came from Councilwoman Suzanne Chan, who said she lost her father due to lung cancer he developed from smoking tobacco.

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Chan noted that she has also lost close friends who have died as a result of medical issues they’ve suffered from as a result of secondhand smoke.

“Re-examining our smoking ordinance is a way we can improve the health of the non-smoking population [of Fremont],” Chan said.

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Chan also said that the City of Fremont received an overall grade of "D" in a recent analysis conducted by the American Lung Association. The “D” ranking was the city’s average grade in three categories: smoke-free outdoor protection, smoke-free multi-unit housing and reducing sales of tobacco products.

According to the Sept. 4 council agenda, Chan recommended that the city staff revise smoking laws to better protect non-smokers by looking at regulations for and in:

  • Public events
  • Entryways
  • Recreation areas
  • Sidewalks in commercial areas
  • Outdoor worksites and
  • Common areas in multi-unit housing developments.

Fremont’s current smoking ordinance currently prohibits smoking in buildings, vehicles and other areas owned by the city and in enclosed public areas (such as elevators, restrooms, taxicabs, retail stores, restaurants, outdoor dining areas and more). 

The city code also notes that smoking is not regulated in:

  • Bars, unless the bar is “open to or directly accessible from designated non-smoking areas.”
  • Private residences, except when the home is used as a family day care or health care center.
  • Stores that sell tobacco
  • Public and private assembly rooms
  • Private membership organizations, service organizations and private clubs
  • Outdoor areas that are a reasonable distance from nonsmoking areas

(To read the entire city ordinance regarding smoking, click here.)

Also at the Sept. 4 Fremont City Council Meeting:

  • Councilmembers voted to allow city staff to increase police staff by hiring four police officers. City Manager Fred Diaz said the city’s ability to increase police staff indicates a positive outlook for Fremont’s financial situation but that the city must still remain cautious with its revenue. He also noted that police staffing and public safety has been noted as a top priority for the city.
  • City council reviewed voted to authorize a site plan for the projected building of a Staybridge Suites hotel that is planned to be built across from the Pacific Commons Shopping Center at 5593 Auto Mall Parkway.

Fremont City Council’s Sept. 11 meeting has been cancelled and its next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 18. Click here to review future agendas and to view minutes from former meetings.

Do you think smoking in public areas should be better regulated? How? Take our poll and share your thoughts with us in our comment section below.

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