By Khalida Sarwari
Santa Cruz residents will not be allowed to smoke outdoors in certain areas of the city under a new ban that takes effect today.
A new ordinance, approved by the City Council on Sept. 22, prohibits smoking on Pacific Avenue, Beach Street between the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf and Third Street, and West Cliff Drive.
Smoking is also now illegal in city parks, on the Municipal Wharf and in all outdoor dining areas in the city.
The new rules will also bump up the number of smoke-free hotel rooms in the city, increasing the percentage from 75 to 90 percent.
“There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke indoors or outdoors,” said Santa Cruz County Tobacco Education Coalition Chair Richard Salazar.
Violators will receive a warning during the first month of the new law but may be fined after that.