Laguna Niguel Municipal Code Art. 1 Legislative Finding

The city council finds and declares that tobacco smoking is a hazard to the health of the general public. Studies clearly demonstrate that smoking is a hazard to the health of those who smoke. In addition, recent studies indicate that involuntary inhalation of smoke is unhealthful to non-smokers. Furthermore, studies have shown higher costs associated with smoking in the workplace due to increases in absenteeism, accidents and costs of medical care, as well as lost productivity and damage to property from burns, extra cleaning and maintenance. Because smoking of tobacco or any other weed or plant is such a positive danger to health and a material annoyance, inconvenience, discomfort and health hazard to those who are present in confined spaces, as well as resulting in higher costs of employment, and, in order to serve public health, safety and welfare, the declared purpose of this division is to prohibit the smoking of tobacco or any other weed or plant in buildings owned or leased by the city and in public places subject to the jurisdiction or control of the city, except in designated smoking areas or as otherwise provided in this division. The city council further declares that the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public, both smokers and nonsmokers, requires the regulation and control of smoking in the private workplace.

(Ord. No. 90-11, § 4, 3-6-90)