The cities of Martinez and Richmond will each receive a California Clean Air Award from the California Clean Air Project this month for their recently adopted comprehensive secondhand smoke protections laws.  The California Clean Air Award, given by California’s Clean Air Project (CCAP), a Statewide Program of ETR Associates, recognizes City Councils and County Boards of Supervisors for passing and enforcing smokefree laws in their community.  The new laws passed by Martinez and Richmond expand the current state law prohibiting smoking in indoor workplaces, as well as provide protections in many outdoor locations and in certain areas of multi-family housing. The City of Martinez is scheduled to receive their award at the September 23rd Martinez City Council meeting and the City of Richmond is schedule to receive their award at the September 22^nd Richmond City Council meeting.  

Coalition members and the public are welcome to attend the presentation of these awards:

Richmond City Council Meeting
Tuesday September 22nd, 7 p.m.
City Hall, 440 Civic Center Drive, Richmond

Martinez City Council Meeting
Wednesday, September 23rd, 7 p.m.
City Hall, 525 Henrietta Street, Martinez

 
While several other Bay Area cities including Oakland, Berkeley, and Hayward have similar protections, Martinez and Richmond now have stronger protections than the County and many other cities in the Bay Area.  The new ordinances in Martinez and Richmond will protect people in most indoor workplaces and within 20 feet of doors, operable windows, air ducts and ventilation systems of all indoor workplaces and buildings open to the public. Smoking is also prohibited in outdoor dining areas; public parks and walking trails; service areas such as bus stops and ATM lines; and at public events.

Both cities extend protection in multi-family housing (two or more units for Richmond and 4 or more units for Martinez) including all indoor and outdoor common areas, and within 20 feet of all doors, operable windows and air ducts of any multi-unit residence and private multi-unit outdoor spaces such as balconies and patios.  Martinez requires landlord disclosure of smoking units, however this provision becomes effective later. Richmond adopted a second ordinance in July, which may be the strongest of it’s type in the nation, prohibiting smoking in all multi-unit housing units (with two or more units) effective January 1, 2011.

Jaime Jenett, MPH
Tobacco Prevention Policy Coordinator
Community Wellness and Prevention Program
Contra Costa Health Services
597 Center Avenue
Martinez, CA  94553
phone:  925-313-6216
fax:       925-313-6864
jjenett@hsd.cccounty.us