San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors voted 10-1 to ban smoking in many private homes unless it’s marijuana.
The new ordinance makes it illegal to smoke tobacco in an apartment building with three or more units, which covers many city residents.
The ban, however, makes an explicit exception for smoking medical marijuana.
“After starting this in January, I’m happy to report @sfbos passed my Smoke-free Multi-Unit Housing Legislation tonight, with a cannabis exemption,” Supervisor Norman Yee, the bill’s sponsor, tweeted. “Secondhand smoke causes harm & everyone should have clean air to breathe where they live. Thanks to my colleagues for their support!”
After starting this in January, I’m happy to report @sfbos passed my Smoke-free Multi-Unit Housing Legislation tonight, with a cannabis exemption. Secondhand smoke causes harm & everyone should have clean air to breathe where they live. Thanks to my colleagues for their support!
— Norman Yee (@NormanYeeSF) December 2, 2020
Smoking is already illegal in common areas of apartment buildings but the new ban outlaws smoking in private apartment homes, even if the owner has no objection.
The stated purpose of the bill is to protect residents from second-hand smoke. While marijuana does have medically-recognized uses, it also contains many of the same carcinogens as tobacco and appears to pose the same secondhand risks. The risks of secondhand smoke from someone in a different apartment appear to have not been medically established through significant scientific testing.
It is still legal in San Francisco to defecate in public, despite the long-documented threat to public health
People who smoke in their home, but not marijuana, would face a $1,000 fine. ABC News reports 63 other California cities and counties have a similar smoking-but-not-marijuana ban.
The bill will receive a second vote before going to San Francisco Mayor London Breed for her signature. It would then become law in 30 days.
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The post San Francisco Makes Smoking at Home Illegal Unless It’s Pot appeared first on American Action News.
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