North County City Passes County's First A Kind Smoking Ban

CARLSBAD, CA — Carlsbad residents living in multi-unit homes won't be allowed to smoke on their properties under new restrictions passed by the City Council Tuesday. The law is a first of its kind in San Diego County.

The new law, which will take effect Jan. 1 affects properties with three or more units. Residents won't be allowed to smoke indoors or in common areas.

"The City of Carlsbad will be the first in San Diego county and joins more than 80 cities and counties statewide to enact a smoke-free housing law that aims to help protect people living in apartments and condos from exposure to smoking," the city announced in a written statement Wednesday.

The law will ban smoking and including vaping inside and outside apartments, condos and other multi-unit homes, except for certain designated outdoor spaces.

Landlords and neighbors will be allowed to enforce the law, taking legal action against violators.

The law was passed by a 4-1 City Council vote, NBC San Diego reported. The law is designed to "enhance protections for people against the dangers of secondhand smoke, reduce fire hazards, and reduce property damage caused by tobacco smoke," according to a report by city staffers.

But not everyone is a fan.

"The idea is to keep your neighbors from getting secondhand smoke," former smoker and Carlsbad resident Phil Mouvet told NBC San Diego."They might have infants around or even pets."

However, he added, "It's kind of taking it too far."

According to the city, properties affected by the law contain three or more residential units and include:

• Apartment buildings
• Condos
• Senior and assisted living facilities
• Long-term healthcare facilities
• Single-family homes licensed as care facilities

Not affected by the law are:

• Hotels and motels
• Mobile home parks
• Campgrounds
• Single family homes (including those with accessory dwelling units)

Smoking would be banned

• In units
• Private balconies
• Porches
• Decks
• Patios
• Common areas (except those designated as smoking areas).