San Diego elected leaders advanced an ordinance on Wednesday to ban smoking and vaping at all outdoor dining areas, moving the city closer to a uniform standard already adopted by 15 of the county’s 19 jurisdictions. The Community and Neighborhood Services Committee voted to forward the proposed municipal code change to the full City Council for consideration later this year.
Public Health Goals and Secondhand Smoke Regulations
City Councilmember Jennifer Campbell, a physician whose District 2 seat terms out later this year, sponsored the proposal to shield the public from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke. According to Campbell’s office, the prohibition is designed to regulate smoking areas where residents, visitors, and restaurant patrons gather. If enacted, the policy would specifically exempt private outdoor events and adult-only bars and nightclubs, requiring restaurateurs to post signs notifying patrons of the new rules.
“Protecting the health and well-being of the community remains my priority; after all, I am a physician,” Campbell said during the Wednesday hearing. “I believe that establishing a consistent citywide standard for smoking and vaping in outdoor settings is an important step.”
Councilmember Raul Campillo backed the measure during the committee meeting, questioning the public health impact of continued exposure. “This is something that is so obviously common sense,” Campillo said. “Anybody in this room want more heart disease? Strokes? Cancer? My constituents neither.”
Research Findings on Patio Nicotine Levels
Campbell’s office developed the ordinance with support from San Diego State University’s Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment. A 2024 study conducted by the center tested nicotine levels at restaurants allowing outdoor smoking and detected nicotine on 100% of the tested patio tables. Researchers found that venues prohibiting outdoor smoking maintained lower levels of concern.
Thomas Novotny, co-director of the center, told committee members that the measure addresses both occupational safety and public annoyance. “This is a health issue for those who work in these environments,” Novotny said. “They are exposed to cigarette smoke involuntarily, and at the same time, for those who visit and are consumers, it’s a public nuisance.”
A July 2025 report from the center identified San Diego as the largest city in the county without a comprehensive smoke-free outdoor dining policy. To gauge public backing, the center polled 1,793 California adults and found that 73% of respondents would avoid eating in an outdoor dining area where people were smoking.
Community and Industry Response
The afternoon hearing drew unanimous support from members of the public who spoke on the issue. Becky Rapp testified about encountering a large cigar on a patio in Little Italy, describing an uncomfortable situation for nearby families and residents. “An inclusive outdoor dining policy should allow families, older adults and people who are sensitive to smoke to enjoy these spaces,” Rapp said.
While no representatives from local restaurants appeared at the hearing, Jot Condie, president and CEO of the California Restaurant Association, issued a statement supporting the prohibition. “The California Restaurant Association supports measures that protect the health and safety of restaurant employees and guests, while also considering the needs of businesses and private events,” Condie said, pointing to the value of exemptions for private gatherings.
Guillermo Castillo, a policy adviser to Campbell, indicated that the full City Council will likely review the proposal before the end of the year. If approved, the ban could take effect by early next year.
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