Novato Goes Smoke Free

Starting tomorrow, July 22, 2008, the City of Novato will begin enforcing a strict secondhand smoke ordinance. Some will see it as a draconian assault on their rights; most will probably consider it a breath of fresh air. Either way, it prohibits smoking within 20 feet of operable doors or windows of buildings, bus stops, ATMs, and ticket lines, as well as at any park, public event, restaurant, bar, and even within apartment buildings. Exceptions are inside private residences and tobacco shops. (Is there a tobacconist in Novato? Telford's Pipe and Cigar in Mill Valley is the only one I can think of in the county, although as a non-smoker, I admittedly don't know really have a need to know much about them.)

Fines range from $100 to $500, depending on the number of violations.

You can access brochures and the full text of the ordinance at the City of Novato's website: www.ci.novato.ca.us.