El Cajon Passes One of the County's Most Strict Smoking Bans

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published August 16, 2007 at 7:41 AM PDT

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

The City of El Cajon passes one of San Diego County's most restrictive smoking bans. The new ordinance, which goes into effect in mid-September, makes it illegal to smoke in virtually all public area

Maureen Cavanaugh (Guest Host): Over the past decade or so, various local city councils in San Diego County have passed laws that prohibit smokers from lighting up on beaches, parks, and other specific public areas. This week, however, the City of El Cajon passed one of the most restrictive smoking ordinances the County has seen to date, banning smoking in almost all public areas of the city.

Why does the city think it's important? How will it be enforced? What rights do smokers have anymore anyway?

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The El Cajon smoking ordinance takes effect September 14 ^th . There will be a six-month grace period before fines are issued to violators.

Guests

Monica Zech, public information officer for the City of El Cajon .
Debra Kelley, vice president for Government Affairs of the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties.
Gary Nolan , senior regional director of the Citizen's Freedom Alliance, Inc., which opposes smoking restrictions.