California: San Diego Advances 25-Foot Smoking Ban for Outdoor Dining Areas

The San Diego City Council’s Neighborhood Services Committee has voted to advance an ordinance prohibiting smoking and vaping within 25 feet of outdoor dining spaces. Spearheaded by Councilmember Dr. Jennifer Campbell, a physician of 40 years, the proposal aims to curb public exposure to secondhand and thirdhand smoke.

Aligning with Regional Smoke-Free Standards

Currently, 15 out of 19 municipal jurisdictions across San Diego County enforce smoke-free outdoor dining policies. A July 2025 report from the San Diego State University Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment identified San Diego as the largest city in the county without a standardized municipal rule, leaving individual business owners to establish their own policies.

Public health data reinforces the push: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention records show that secondhand smoke exposure has caused approximately 2.5 million deaths among non-smokers since 1964.

Exemptions and Next Steps

The draft policy includes specific exemptions:

Areas adjacent to bars or nightclubs that restrict entry to patrons aged 18 and older.
Dining locations or venues closed to the public for private events.

Survey data presented by Campbell’s office indicates broad local support, with 78% of residents and 88% of restaurant workers favoring the restriction. The ordinance now moves to the full City Council for final review and adoption.

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Matthew Ma

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With over a decade of experience in the e-cigarette industry, Matthew Ma is a seasoned expert in both the manufacturing and usage aspects of vaping products. His extensive background has provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies and evolving dynamics of e-cigarettes.