The Chula Vista Public Library has had problems with smokers in the past, most notably smoke getting in the building.
Up until recently, those who partook in smoke breaks were asked to stay at least 75 feet away from the building while lighting up.
According to Erni Barros, branch manager at the library, the smoke would still find its way inside.
‘Even though (smokers) are 75 feet (away), the way the wind blows from the bay it still goes right into the doors,” Barros said. “When someone walks through the door, the door’s open, smoke still comes in.”
The 75 feet request was farther than the city’s previous distance requirements for city facilities, which varied from up to 50 feet away from entrances.
Now, Chula Vista smokers and vapers will have to be extra careful where they puff, following the placement of new no-smoking signs.
The city had already taken a stand against smoking, following January changes to the city’s municipal code section 8.22, which broadened the definition of smoking to include vaping and expanded the smoking ban from city parks to all city facilities.
Part of the code designated that signage be put in place, and now that it is, citizens caught taking drags or blowing clouds could face a fine of up to $100, according to a city news release.
Barros said the updated rules are a good thing for both the library and the community as a whole.
“Nobody wants to breathe anybody’s second-hand smoke,” he said. “It’s unfortunate for the smokers that there are fewer places to smoke, but for the overall good of the community it’s definitely a good thing.”
The changes are in line with the city’s Healthy Chula Vista initiative, which aims to create a healthier community for residents and provide resources to live a healthier lifestyle.
Stacy Kurtz, the Healthy Chula Vista coordinator, said smoking contributes to about 20 percent of early deaths in the South Bay, and the city is dedicated to curbing that number.
“We can impact the number of people smoking, thereby reducing the rate of chronic diseases associated with tobacco use,” she said. “We can have a pretty large impact on the early death rates related to chronic diseases.”
Issues with vaping and cigarette smoking go beyond health concerns; the vaping devices impact the environment through improper disposal while cigarettes can lead to a littering problem.
“From an environment standpoint, it’s really important to try and eliminate that litter associated with tobacco use and smoking,” Kurtz said.
In order to help curb the environmental damage caused by vape devices, the city is accepting the devices at both the Hazardous Waste Collection Center and during one-day collection events.
“Both the cartridge containing the liquid for vaping devices and the lithium ion battery require disposal as hazardous waste,” said Manuel Medrano, Chula Vista Environment Services manager, in a news release. “We are happy to add this service to the existing disposal programs offered in Chula Vista.”
