Give one up for fast moving government! (For once.) In December, the city council unanimously voted to adopt new no smoking and tobacco use laws. January 15th was the frist day that the expanded laws took effect within the city limits of SLO.
"The law bans smoking in any city park, all open spaces, and at sporting facilities. It also applies to dog parks, public transportation facilities, Mission Plaza and the creek walk."
The law mostly targets smokers, but also applies to any tobacco product, including chewing tobacco. (Not mentioned in the source link.)
Fines start at $100 for the first offense; $200 for the second; then $500 for each additional offense within a 12 month period.
Fun fact: In 1990, San Luis Obispo became the first municipality in the world to ban smoking in all public places. (Allegedly.)
Fun fact #2: SLO also has a "no drive-through" ordinance. Fast food, banks, ATMs, etc., are not allowed to have drive-throughs. That's right, your lazy butt has to walk if you want your double cheeseburger to-go in SLO.
Supposedly, there is going to be further consideration to expand the no smoking/tobacco use laws even more. There's talk that the entire downtown area (or even the entire city limits) could become a no smoking zone outside of private property. I'm all for no smoking, but this is a free country after all. I feel like these most recent laws are a good thing. But, expanding much more than this might be going too far. If you say it's illegal to walk down a public sidewalk and smoke at the same time, what's next? No bubble-gum chewing in public places? I guess we'll see what city council decides on. What do you think? Do these current laws go too far? Not far enough?
