SMOKING BAN. Downtown Santa Monica at a Glance Santa Monica is a coastal community with 90,000 residents. 8.3 square miles with a daytime population of.

SMOKING BAN

Downtown Santa Monica at a Glance

• Santa Monica is a coastal community with 90,000 residents.

• 8.3 square miles with a daytime population of 200,000.

• Downtown is 30 square blocks and includes Third Street Promenade-three blocks of restaurants, street performers, shops and a Farmers’ Market. There is also a new upscale shopping center at one end of the Promenade.

• Downtown hosts 6.3 million visitors annually and 3 million are international visitors.

• Visitors spend $1.25 billion each year.

Downtown Santa Monica at a Glance

• Santa Monica was named one of “America’s Best Downtowns” by Forbes Magazine.

• The City of Santa Monica is known for progressive politics and development.

• Only 11% of Santa Monica’s population smokes.

Smoking Ordinances Passed by Santa Monica City Council

• 2003 – Smoking prohibited in city parks. Fine of $250.

• 2004 – Smoking prohibited on the beach, the Santa Monica Pier and in or near any public buildings. Fine of $250.

• 2006 – Smoking prohibited on Third Street Promenade and Farmers’ Markets, all outdoor dining areas, outdoor service areas, areas within 20 feet of entrances, exits or open windows. Fine of $250.

Unintended Consequences of the Three Ordinances

• Current law did not require business owners to enforce the law or make them liable.

• Business owners were under no obligation to post signage banning smoking.

• Business playing field not level as some businesses were enforcing the law.

• Cited individuals felt the $250 fine was too high. Once mandatory Court Fees were added, total penalty was about $800.

Additional Ordinances Needed For Enforcement

• 2008 – Ordinance made business owners and managers liable if they did not abide by the smoking ban.

• It required that businesses post “no smoking” signs.

• The citation was reduced to $100 for first time offenders—both business and individuals.

Relevant Research on the Economic Impact of Smoking Bans

City of Santa Monica staff looked at studies done by various bodies and organizations.

American Medical Association – Studied changes in U.S. hotel revenues and international tourism after making restaurants smoke-free. This study found that the smoking ban didn’t adversely affect and may have increased tourist business.

CDC – Analyzed sales tax and mixed beverage tax data before and after bans in El Paso, TX. There were no significant changes.

Relevant Research on the Economic Impact of Smoking Bans

• Cornell University – Hospitality revenues did not decrease in the wake of smoke-free regulations in New York State and sales and employment generally increased.

• KPMG – The firm researched the affects of a smoking ban in Ottawa. There was no evidence of negative fiscal impacts and saw growth in the number of people visiting hospitality establishments.

• Harvard School of Public Health – Patronage numbers in Massachusetts establishments did not change after a smoke-free workplace ban was instituted and beverage and food excise taxes were not affected.

SM Chamber of Commerce Business Survey on Smoking

• Ban smoking in outdoor dining areas:

– 61% favor, 38% oppose

• Ban smoking in a 20-foot radius of building entrances:

– 61% favor, 38% oppose

• Increase required non-smoking hotel rooms:

– 57% favor, 35% oppose

• Ban Smoking on Third Street Promenade:

– 55% favor, 41% oppose

• Ban Smoking in common areas of multi-unit resident buildings

– 61% favor, 38% oppose.

Public Awareness Campaign “Smoking Doesn’t Belong Here”

• Purpose: To raise awareness of the no-smoking laws for tourists, residents and businesses by focusing on voluntary compliance rather than repercussions.

• City allocated budget: $150,000

• Rolled out: Spring, 2009

• Concept: “One of These Doesn’t Belong Here,” based on a children’s game.

• Collateral: tool kits that include window clings, friendly reminder cards, wraps on trash cans, and posters at bus stops.

• Local Ad Campaign: Placed ads in local newspapers, tourist brochures and ATM screens.

• Community Involvement: Grade school art contest with the winning entry posted on a bus.

Public Awareness Campaign “Smoking Doesn’t Belong Here”

Brochure

Public Awareness Campaign “Smoking Doesn’t Belong Here”

Advertisement

Poster

Public Awareness Campaign “Smoking Doesn’t Belong Here”

Window Cling

Public Awareness Campaign “Smoking Doesn’t Belong Here”

Wrapped Beach Trash Can

Public Awareness Campaign “Smoking Doesn’t Belong Here”

Art contest winner and her creation on Santa Monica’s Big Blue Bus

Public Awareness Campaign “Smoking Doesn’t Belong Here”

Press Campaign

“The messages that the images deliver that in Santa Monica cigarettes are out of place, literally and figuratively is meant to get straight to the heart of the matter.”

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. Efforts to Support Ban

Ambassador Program• Redirected 57,213 visitors to legal

smoking areas.• Mints are given out to redirected

smokers.

Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. Efforts to Support Ban

Keep America Beautiful Grant

3rd Court Al-ley

3rd Street & SM

3rd Strret & AZ

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Cigarette Butt Litter Scan

Preliminary ScanFollow-up Scan 1Follow-up Scan 2

Promenade Location

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Public Awareness Campaign “Smoking Doesn’t Belong Here”

What we learned… • Public Awareness campaigns should be geared

specifically to a target audience. Our campaign had an impact on tourists, but not necessarily residents. However, local PR was effective way to reach residents.

• Fines should be reasonable and on-par with other local municipalities.

• The ash receptacles are a must!

• As always, good cooperation with city agencies is a key to success.

Thank you!