Blog note: this article references a recent grand jury report.
Smoking will no longer be tolerated in Millbrae apartment buildings, under a decision by officials designed to protect the health and wellness of those living in multi-unit developments.
The Millbrae City Council unanimously approved banning tobacco and marijuana smoking as well as vaping in apartment buildings, according to video of the meeting Tuesday, June 25.
Officials framed the decision as one necessary to help limit exposure to secondhand smoke, while some councilmembers questioned why the policy which has grown commonplace across the Peninsula took so long to reach Millbrae.
“I’m glad we are moving forward with this,” said Councilwoman Ann Schneider, who proceeded to raise a variety of other concerns with the city’s policies regarding smoking.
While she appreciated the regulation, Schneider said she feels more prevention work needs to be done, especially downtown, to assure tobacco is effectively snuffed out in Millbrae.
Vice Mayor Reuben Holober agreed public smoking is another, larger issue, and suggested the ashtrays placed downtown could be removed so as to not encourage lighting up.
“By keeping those ashtrays downtown we may be contradicting the law,” he said.
As for the apartment ban, terms of the policy reflect similar regulations approved by neighboring communities in recent years. Those renting apartments will not be allowed to smoke or vape any substance in their units, under the ban. The regulation will be enforced according to complaints from neighbors, and violators would face fines between $100 and $250. Exemptions will be offered to those living in privately operated duplex or triplex developments, as officials were sensitive to not infringe on the property rights of landlords.
The policy will be phased in over time, as officials attempted to balance their urgency for implementation against allowing an opportunity for smokers who will need to move to find a new place.
“You have to give the building owners some time to get the word out and give people a chance to comply,” said Mayor Wayne Lee.
Some details of the policy will be firmed up later, once officials vote for final approval at a subsequent meeting.
For her part, Councilwoman Gina Papan said the effectiveness of the policy will ultimately be determined by the enforcement effort.
“If we are going to take this seriously, it has to be strictly enforced,” she said.
Councilwoman Anne Oliva raised questions over whether it is possible to regulate such behavior, but nonetheless recommended officials work with property managers and landlords to assure information about the policy is widely distributed.
The policy discussion arrived in the wake of a San Mateo County Civil Grand Jury report, calling for cities without the bans to consider establishing the regulations. Schneider expressed her frustration such a report was necessary for the city to take action.
Cities such as Belmont, Burlingame, Redwood City, Half Moon Bay, San Bruno, San Mateo and many others throughout the county have already established similar bans.
“It is really disappointing it took a grand jury study to do one additional ordinance in Millbrae,” she said.
A handful of residents advocated for establishing the restriction too, and expressed their appreciation to officials to looking to improve the health and safety of their community.
“There’s no reason why you shouldn’t pass this ordinance,” said Millbrae resident Yuri Cartier, who called the proposed policy a common sense decision in light of the health risks posed by exposure to secondhand smoke.
Holober signaled he agreed that the policy would be a step in the right direction for Millbrae.
“I am very comfortable with the ordinance as written,” he said.
July 1, 2019
The Daily Journal
By Austin Walsh
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