DC Council passes sidewalk smoking provision

[Angela Bradbery]

Feb. 4, 2010

 

D.C. Council Passes Sidewalk Smoking Provision
 
It's official: If you own a business in D.C. and are having a problem with secondhand smoke drifting inside from smokers outside, you can post "no smoking" signs outside.
 

The D.C. Council on Tuesday approved the so-called "sidewalk smoking" provision -- a few lines tucked in a much longer bill (18-428) designed to curb tobacco use by minors. It states that business owners can ask smokers to move away from the building. The measure has no enforcement mechanism - disobeying will not lead to a fine or citation. The Council is counting on smokers having the good sense and courtesy to not smoke where "no-smoking" signs are posted. The bill passed unanimously on its final reading and will take effect after a mandatory congressional review period.
 
A big thanks to Councilmember Phil Mendelson, who crafted the provision after Smokefree DC told him of the many calls we have received from people inside offices who were breathing secondhand smoke that had drifted inside. Secondhand smoke in work spaces violates the spirit and intent of the smokefree workplaces law we helped pass in 2006. Since that law doesn't address outside venues, we asked him about a fix. This was his solution.
 
Please thank Councilmember Mendelson (pmend...@dccouncil.us) and the entire Council (dcco...@dccouncil.us).
 
If you'd like to read the full text of the provision, visit our Web site, www.SmokefreeDC.org. 
 
Angela Bradbery

Co-founder, Smokefree DC

 

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