Encinitas City Council Weighs Smoking Ban In Public Spaces

ENCINITAS, CA — Encinitas's City Council would discuss amending a municipal code, further establishing a citywide smoking ban in all public spaces Wednesday.

The council, scheduled to meet Wednesday night, would determine whether to amend the current smoking ban to include sidewalks and parked cars.

The reasoning behind the amendment would be to reduce cigarette butt trash and also to discourage minors from smoking, according to the city. Currently, Encinitas has a city-wide ban on smoking at beaches, city parks, trails and restaurants, both inside and outside.

Smoking is currently permitted on private property, residences, inside 20 percent of guest rooms in hotels and motels, and inside a car that is being driven.

If the ordinance is adopted by City Council, it will take 90 days to become effective and for new signage to be posted, according to the city.