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Smoke-free

 

Ventura County Comprehensive Smoke-free Ordinance

Why is the County of Ventura going smoke-free?

The Ventura County Board of Supervisors adopted the Ventura County Comprehensive Smoke-free Ordinance on January 10, 2017 to improve the health and safety of people visiting and working in county facilities and unincorporated Ventura County. Smoking is still the leading cause of preventable death and disability in the United States and the U.S. Surgeon General has stated that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke.

When does this ordinance become effective?

The ordinance became effective on February 10, 2017. Enforcement of the ordinance will began on August 10, 2017.

To whom does this ordinance apply?

The ordinance applies to all Ventura County residents who live, work or visit in the unincorporated areas of Ventura County and those who access services in County building or facilities.

Where is smoking prohibited?

Smoking is prohibited in the following areas of Unincorporated Ventura County:

  1. Outdoor dining areas in restaurants
  2. Entryways to buildings
  3. Public Events (Outdoor farmer's markets, community fairs/events)
  4. Recreation Areas (Parks, recreation areas, trails, etc.)
  5. Service areas (ATM’s, movie lines, etc.)
  6. Worksites
  7. All County of Ventura buildings, facilities and grounds.

How will the ordinance be enforced?

An awareness campaign was be launched using signage and educational materials to County employees and to the public. As this is a County ordinance, enforcement of the ordinance is at the sole discretion of the County, but repeat violations are infractions subject to a fine.

Each incident of smoking or use of a tobacco product in violation of this chapter is an infraction subject to a warning for a first violation and then punishable by a fine of $50 for a second violation within one year, a fine of $100 for a third violation within one year, and a fine of $200 for a fourth or subsequent violation.

What is the definition of “smoking” and therefore prohibited by this ordinance?

Smoking includes the use of cigarettes, cigars, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, marijuana (including medical marijuana) and electronic smoking devices, such as e-cigarettes and vaping pens, which produce a vapor of nicotine or other substances.

Is chewing tobacco also prohibited by this ordinance?

Yes. Chewing tobacco is a tobacco product that contains nicotine. As stated in the ordinance a tobacco product also includes then use of products that are absorbed, inhaled, snorted, sniffed or ingested are prohibited.

What areas of outdoor Unincorporated Ventura County are affected by this ordinance?

All unincorporated areas of Ventura County are affected by this ordinance. This includes:

District 1: Montalvo, Saticoy, Ojai Valley, Upper Ojai Valley, and North Coast.

District 2: Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Bell Canyon, Hidden Valley, Lake Sherwood, Somis, Las Posas Valley, California State University Channel Islands, Portions of the Oxnard Plain, Santa Rosa Valley, Naval Base Ventura County Point Mugu, California Air National Guard, and South Coast.

District 3: Southeast Oxnard, East Oxnard Plain, Piru, East Lockwood Valley, and Eastern Portion of Naval Base Ventura County Port Hueneme.

District 4: Santa Susana Knolls, Box Canyon, Chatsworth Peak, Home Acres, Sinaloa Lake, and Tierra Rejada Valley.

District 5: Silver Strand, Hollywood Beach, Hollywood by the Sea, Channel Islands Harbor, El Rio, Nyeland Acres, Del Norte, Oxnard College, Oxnard Plain, Strickland and a portion of the Ventura County Naval Base Pt. Hueneme.

Are there designated smoking areas on properties owned or leased by the County?

There will be one designated smoking area located at the Ventura County Government Center that has been designated to enable those who smoke to remain within the vicinity, of their workplace or the jury services room. Per Proposition 64, the use (smoking or ingestion) of Marijuana in public and in the designated smoking area is prohibited.

There are no other designated smoking areas on County property at this time.

Is smoking medicinal marijuana allowed on county property or the unincorporated areas of Ventura County?

No, smoking of any kind is prohibited, including medicinal marijuana.

Is smoking allowed in recreational areas that are owned and leased by the County?

Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of all Ventura County parks, picnic areas, sporting events, walking paths, lakes, and gardens, hiking trails, bike paths, riding trails, swimming pools, skateboard parks, amusement parks and beaches (i.e., Hobson Beach Park, Faria Beach Park and Rincon Parkway). Smoking is prohibited within 250 feet of playgrounds and tot lots. Additionally, state law prohibits anyone from smoking within 250 feet from youth sporting events in all
California cities.

Smoking is allowed at the following County owned and maintained golf courses: Rustic Canyon Golf Course in Simi Valley, Saticoy Regional Golf Course in Ventura, and Soule Park Golf Course in Ojai.

Is smoking allowed on campsites that are on County campgrounds?

Smoking is prohibited in all County owned and operated Campgrounds. County owned and maintained campsites include:

  • Camp Comfort Ojai
  • Dennison Park Ojai
  • Faria County Beach Park
  • Foster County Park
  • Hobson Beach Park Ventura
  • Kenney Grove Park
  • Oak Park
  • Rincon RV Parkway
  • Steckel Park
  • Tapo Canyon Park

Is smoking allowed in privately owned recreational vehicles, trailers or tents while camping at County owned or maintained campsites?

No. Smoking and the use of tobacco products including marijuana in privately owned recreational vehicles, trailers, and tents is prohibited while camping or day use in all campgrounds owned or maintained by the county.

What resources are available to help me stop smoking?

If you would like support to quit the use of tobacco and tobacco products, call Ventura County Public Health Tobacco Education and Prevention- Call it Quits Program at (805) 201-7867 or visit http://www.vchca.org/ventura-county-public-health-tobacco-programs

In addition, California has a free helpline that offers ongoing one-on-one counseling and cessation materials in several languages. They can be reached by calling 1 -800- NO- BUTTS (1-800-662-8887).

For additional questions regarding the ordinance, please contact Ventura County Public Health at (805) 201-7867.

Information and Downloads

Ordinance information

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Factsheets

 

Recursos en Español

 

Downloadable No Smoking Signs

 

How to Quit

 

Helpful Websites

 
 

You may contact the Ventura County Public Health, Tobacco Education and Prevention Program to get more information on County, City or State of California laws regarding tobacco products or secondhand smoke. Please contact us by calling 805-201-7867 or email Callitquits@Ventura.org. Any complaints by the public about exposure to secondhand smoke will remain anonymous.

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For additional questions regarding the ordinance, please contact Ventura County Public Health at (805) 201-7867.

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