Smoking banned in county parks, preserves, trails

As of January 12, smoking has been prohibited in parks, open space preserves, and trails operated by the County of San Diego.

On December 6 the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the introduction and first reading of an ordinance to ban smoking in county parks and also appropriated $15,000 for the purchase of materials to provide signs about the ban. The ordinance had its second reading and adoption on December 13.

The supervisors had been concerned about the fire hazards caused by cigarettes and matches as well as other smoking materials, the environmental problems caused by cigarette and cigar butts, and health problems from inhaling cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoke. In September the supervisors voted 4-1 to direct the county’s Chief Administrative Officer to develop an ordinance to ban smoking in county parks.

The text of the ordinance states that “no person shall smoke in a County park.” The enforcement provision does not stipulate a fine, other than noting that failure to obey a park ranger’s order to leave a county park is a misdemeanor, but a park ranger may revoke any park permits issued to violators without refunding fees paid. The ranger may also require the person or group to vacate the park premises.

Since the ordinance will primarily be carried out through self-compliance, signage will be provided to inform the public about the smoking ban.

The supervisors and the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation also used the ordinance amendment opportunity to make clarifying non-substantive changes to an ordinance section regarding fees and permits for overnight camping in county parks.