San Francisco Citizen

[UPDATE: Joshua Sabatini has an update - the next committee hearing will be on February 22, 2010.]

Your San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar wants to expand Article 19F of the San Francisco Public Health Code – you know, the one from 1994 that prohibits smoking in enclosed areas and sports stadiums.

Check out the current rules after the jump, but don’t get used to them as they could be changing soon. This afternoon’s meeting of the Board of Supervisors Committee on Land Use & Economic Development could lead to some changes.

A graphic from this afternoon’s rally – secondhand smoke levels from outdoor dining areas at two unnamed cafes in North Beach are considered dangerous by the EPA:

80 souls were there before the committee meeting began:

Eric Mar and supporters enjoying a healthy smoke-free ride in the Richmond District back in 2008:

Brace yourselves: 

COMMUNITY RALLY TO SUPPORT EXPANDING PROTECTIONS FROM SECOND HAND SMOKE 

     Rally & Press Conference Before the Board of Supervisors Committee
      Hearing on Ordinance that Closes the Gaps in Public Health Code 

                        Polk Street City Hall Steps
                      Monday, February 1 at 12:00 noon 

  WHAT:    A rally and press conference to support an ordinance that will
           expand protection from second hand smoke by closing gaps in the
           San Francisco Public Health Code.  San Francisco is poised to
           join 18 other Bay Area cities in offering protection from
           second hand smoke by prohibiting smoking in many outdoor areas
           such as farmers markets, outdoor dining areas, theater and ATM
           lines, hotel and motel lobby areas, and other places frequented
           by members of the public.  The rally will convene just before
           the meeting of the Board of Supervisors Committee on Land Use &
           Economic Development, which will hear the proposed legislation
           for the first time. 

  WHO: A large crowd of community members including families, tenants,
           tenant advocates, members of the Chinese Progressive
           Association and San Francisco Tobacco Free Coalition;
           Supervisor Eric Mar, Supervisor John Avalos, Jul Lynn Parsons
           (Co-Chair of Mayor’s Disability Council), Carol McGruder
           (Tobacco Free Coalition member); Alex Tom (Tobacco Free
           Coalition; Chinese Progressive Association) and others. 

  BACKGROUND: 

The proposed ordinance would update Article 19F of the San Francisco Health Code, the landmark legislation adopted in 1994 that protects residents and visitors from second hand smoke. If approved by the Board of Supervisors and signed by the Mayor, San Francisco would join a long list of other Bay Area cities that have already expanded protection from second hand smoke for their residents to include many outdoor areas. 

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