SB 8 (Glazer) / AB 1718 (Levine)—Smoking ban for State Parks and Beaches

Overview: The purpose of this bill is to help address public health concerns and environmental impacts associated with smoking, including litter, toxins in cigarette butts ingested by wildlife, wildfires, and plastic litter from disposable liquid cartridges of e-cigarettes. State Parks currently prohibits smoking in state park buildings, on trails, on specific guided walks and during high fire seasons. The state park system includes 300 miles of state beaches and 280 state park units covering a total of 1.3 million acres.

CAW Position: Sponsor

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Status: AB 8 was signed by Governor. AB 1718 was vetoed by Governor.

In Context: A combination of SB 1383’s 75% organic waste diversion goal and China’s National Sword policy has created an environment where both business and environmental advocates must work together to find comprehensive and long term solutions.

Bill Summary: These bills:

  • Prohibit a person from smoking on a state coastal beach or in a unit of the state park system.  The prohibition applies to cigars or cigarettes containing tobacco or any other weed or plant used as an alternative or supplement to tobacco or nicotine, and also includes electronic and vapor cigarettes.  Exempts props used for filming and the use of tobacco products for the good-faith practice of religious belief or ceremony. Exempts parking lots and roadways from the smoking prohibition.

  • Prohibits a person from disposing of used cigar or cigarette waste on a state beach or in a state park unit. 

  • Requires the Department of Parks and Recreation (State Parks), or any local operating entity, to post signs providing notice of the smoking prohibition.  Provides that the smoking prohibition will be enforced only after signs have been posted.

  • Allows the director of State Parks to exempt areas within units of the park system from the smoking prohibition after considering public health and safety and potential fire risk.

  • Makes a violation of this bill an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $25.

Current language, analysis, and votes

Supporters: For full list of supporters, see the Senate analysis here.

CAW Staff Contact: Robert Nunez, (916)443-5422