City Council Says No More Smoking in Downtown Livermore

By AUTUMN JOHNSON

Smokers who visit downtown Livermore next month will have to light up in areas away from the designated “downtown non-smoking area.” The Livermore City Council voted unanimously this week to amend the City’s existing smoking ordinance banning smoking, including the use of electronic cigarettes, in some downtown areas.

The amendment to the 1994 law also establishes 20 feet as the reasonable distance smokers must stay away from public entryways and windows citywide. According to the City of Livermore documents, ordinances prohibiting smoking within 20 feet of doors and windows of commercial buildings currently exist in Alameda County and cities such as Alameda and Dublin.

“What is important to note is that Livermore Downtown, Inc. came to the City and asked us to help them and the downtown merchants by crafting and clarifying an ordinance to control smoking,” Livermore Mayor John Marchand told Patch. “This was a request that came from the community first. The City worked with the community so that everyone would have ownership. This wasn’t from the top, down. Smoking in public places is a public health issue. Almost 50,000 people die every year from second hand smoke. This is a workable compromise that gives those who want it, a place to smoke. It gives everyone else a place to breathe.”

City officials say the ban will help reduce the potential negative health impacts on both adults and children exposed to smoke from cigarettes, while reducing litter in the form of cigarette butts.

The “Downtown Non‐smoking Area” boundaries, according to the City of Livermore:

“...The area of First Street, up to the face of building, between Maple and L Streets including public parks, plazas, open spaces and associated pathways that provide ingress and egress to public parks, plazas, and open spaces and J and K Streets, up to the face of building, from First Street to Second Street.”

Map courtesy City of Livermore

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