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Environmental Health

Environmental Tobacco Smoke Prevention Program

The goal of the Environmental Tobacco Smoke Prevention Program is to protect residents from harmful exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and secondhand exposure to other tobacco derived products. Long term exposure to secondhand smoke may increase the risk of respiratory problems in children and may contribute to lung cancer and coronary heart disease in nonsmoking adults.

For information about the retail tobacco permitting program or the amendments to Article 19H limiting tobacco retail density and location that went into effect on January 18, 2015, please visit the Retail Tobacco Permits web page.

Principal Activities and Services

City law prohibits smoking of tobacco and e-cigarettes in all workplaces and many public areas. The Environmental Tobacco Smoke Prevention Program focuses its enforcement efforts on preventing smoking and use of e-cigarettes in several locations with the highest risks for workers and residents

  • Bars and restaurants
  • Shared areas of apartments and hotels
  • Tobacco shops

The program also works with landlords and property owners in developing plans to limit smoke exposure indoors. Complaints about smoking in parks, on sidewalks outside building entrances and other public area should go directly to the property or buisiness owner or manager.

Fact Sheets and Resources for Compliance with San Francisco Secondhand Smoke Prevention Laws:

DPH Enforcement of Smoking in Workplaces and Residences Diagram (pdf)

Smoking Prohibition Enforcement Alert for Restaurants, Bars, Night Clubs, Lounges, & Hookah

Smoke Free Ordinance General Requirements FAQ

Smoke Free Ordinance & Multiple-Unit Housing Complexes FAQ

Smoke Free Food Establishments FAQ

 

 

No Smoking Sticker in English.      Also available in Chinese, Russianand Spanish:

No smoking sticker No smoking Sticker Chinese  No smoking Sticker Russian  No smoking Sticker Spanish

 

 

 

Making a Complaint

If you witness smoking inside a business or in a common area of a hotel or apartment, you may report a complaint to the Environmental Health Branch by calling 311.

311 City Customer Service Agency - Service 24x7

San Francisco Department of Public Health Environmental Health Branch

 

Please also refer to the guide to the many different agencies that handle complaints about odors and fumes.