Carlsbad is the first city in San Diego County to ban smoking and vaping — both cannabis and nicotine products — within all multifamily residential buildings, including apartments, condos, and townhomes. At least 84 other California cities, such as Beverly Hills, Culver City, Manhattan Beach, and Pasadena, have also enacted restrictions on smoking in multifamily residences.
Under this new law, residents are prohibited from smoking inside their apartments and condos, as well as on private balconies, porches, decks, patios, and any common areas that are not specifically designated as smoking areas. However, this law does not apply to single-family homes.
The new ordinance has prompted mixed reactions. Some residents argue that the law infringes on their privacy and represents government overreach into personal lives. Others support the measure, citing the health risks associated with secondhand smoke from both cannabis and nicotine products.
Advocates highlight that cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, according to the CDC, and that exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke and lung cancer.
The smoking ban in Carlsbad will take effect at the start of next year.
