Elk Grove Considering Changes to Tobacco Use Ordinance

October 21, 2017 |  

At their Wednesday, October 25 meeting, the Elk Grove City Council will consider tightening the sales and use of tobacco products in the city. 

According to a report prepared by city attorney Jonathan Hobbs, during their August 23, 2017, meeting the city council asked city staff to revisit current ordinances regarding the sale and use of tobacco and explore possible revisions. In their analysis, there were two recommendations for change.

The first one suggests increasing the purchase age in the city from the current 18 to 21. Doing this, the report says, would make the city compliant with the enactment of California Senate Bill 7 which became effective over one year ago.

The second suggestion would further restrict the use of tobacco use at outdoor public places. The report notes "Smoking at outdoor areas open to the public, such as outdoor dining patios, is not expressly prohibited by the Code" and is at the discretion of the business operator.

The city council could, Hobbs wrote, "revise the Code to expressly prohibit smoking at these outdoor areas open to the public, the City Council may direct such changes to the Code."

Wednesday's meeting at Elk Grove City Hall starts at 6 p.m.