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Home » Concord City Council To Expand, Update Smoking Ordinances

Concord City Council To Expand, Update Smoking Ordinances

by CLAYCORD.com
29 comments

The City Council is scheduled to discuss, and possibly approve, a new ordinance to prohibit smoking in and around multi-unit residences (except for designated smoking areas) and in city parks.

The council is also expected to discuss a comprehensive update of the city’s existing ordinance governing smoking in public places and workplaces to comply with state and federal law.

The ban on smoking in and around multi-unit developments, and attached structures, would apply to the interiors of those units, as well as private exclusive-use unenclosed space (patios, balconies, decks, porches, etc.), but would allow designated smoking areas.

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The changes would also include electronic smoking devices (vaping), with and without nicotine, which under the law can be regulated by local governments in the same manner as traditional tobacco products.

Tonight’s meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1950 Parkside Drive in Concord.

29 comments


Dana Estates December 10, 2019 - 8:22 AM - 8:22 AM

I’m confused. The council is ADDING Marijuana Dispensaries, but banning smoking and e-cigs??? Will they ban smoking marijuana too? Or just nicotine products. Just seems counter intuitive.

Kenny December 10, 2019 - 8:55 AM - 8:55 AM

Good.

Ricardoh December 10, 2019 - 9:33 AM - 9:33 AM

Looks like the City Council has nothing better to do but pass unenforceable laws.

Natalie December 10, 2019 - 11:09 AM - 11:09 AM

These kind of ordinances in other cities are enforced “by complaint”. Nobody is expecting there to be roaming police officers sniffing the air for smoke. However, if someone becomes a nuisance (chain smokers, cigar smokers, people blatantly being a nuisance with the smoking products) they can reported and penalized.

Concord Mike December 10, 2019 - 12:30 PM - 12:30 PM

Natalie is exactly right. 100%

Doh December 10, 2019 - 10:27 AM - 10:27 AM

In the forties and fifties 80%-90% smoked non-filtered cigarettes. In the sixties the same percentage began moving to filtered cigarettes. The world didn’t die off.I agree smoking is bad for you but this second hand smoke argument is baloney. There are far more important issues to address.

whatever December 10, 2019 - 11:01 AM - 11:01 AM

You’re wrong.

Kendall December 10, 2019 - 12:30 PM - 12:30 PM
The Dude December 11, 2019 - 6:56 AM - 6:56 AM

Doh- you are so misinformed buddy, sad.

Shiloh December 11, 2019 - 8:48 AM - 8:48 AM

The world IS dying off! Are you serious? I’m losing track of all the chain smokers I grew up around who have died a slow and painful suffocating death due to copd and/or cancer. A smoker can’t even cough or laugh or take a deep breath without all the buildup in their lungs rattling around for all to hear. Have you seen pictures of human lungs from a smoker vs a non smoker? ☠️

Rob December 11, 2019 - 9:10 AM - 9:10 AM

Second Hand Smoke isn’t an issue…

So… Um… you agree that smoking itself is bad but if you inhale the same smoke but while it is in the air – that’s not bad?

Concord Mike December 10, 2019 - 10:57 AM - 10:57 AM

The new proposed ordinance does restrict cannabis and tobacco smoking and vaping. A very good thing for the 90% of people who don’t smoke, especially those living in high density housing.

Hope Johnson December 10, 2019 - 4:19 PM - 4:19 PM

Just FYI – the ban proposed as a change to the current ordinance will apply only to high density (multifamily) housing. Single family dwellings are only included if they are used for purposes involving multiple members of the public (like a child care facility).

Roz December 10, 2019 - 11:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Being a light smoker,….don’t smoke in my house or other’s dwellings, and not in cars. Noticed some smokers do not follow the posting of “No Smoking” in Downtown/Park Area of Concord. Maybe that’s why City Council is stepping up their game plan. Seems like other Cities have a bigger area of no smoking.

Simonpure December 10, 2019 - 12:05 PM - 12:05 PM

You can do it Roz 🙂 Just keep on trying girl.

Nokeem December 10, 2019 - 12:01 PM - 12:01 PM

How about fighting crime and help the litany of victims of car break-in’s. The $950 limit is creating a multitude of these types of crimes with no end in sight. How about spending time on that?

Lee December 11, 2019 - 1:38 AM - 1:38 AM

Agree, Or the tweakers around, you clearly see them tweaking. Smoking shouldn’t be a priority, its already legal.

Cellophane December 10, 2019 - 2:46 PM - 2:46 PM

This ordinance will pass tonight. The City Council has already decided, the discussion is a formality.

What’s next?

Banning smoking of anything related to tobacco in the entire city of Concord?

Neighbors reporting neighbors to the police?

What about people who smoke meat and grill meat? That upsets people too.

What about gas-powered lawn equipment?

What about older classic cars?

When will it stop?

It probably won’t.

Until enough people take a stand.

I am 100% against this ordinance and anything else that restricts any personal freedoms.

Joatmeal December 10, 2019 - 9:29 PM - 9:29 PM

It’s because of selfish people like you that we need this ordinance. If you took 1 second to think about someone other than yourself, you would realize people other than yourself also have the personal freedom not to breath poisonous smoke that has swirled around your lungs and then exhaled into their residence.

Cellophane December 11, 2019 - 6:58 AM - 6:58 AM

Joatmeal

Did I attack you and call you names?

Your personal attach indicates that you may have limited arguments on this topic.

Who said I even smoke?

Personal responsibility and good character values would resolve so many issues without laws banning everything for everybody.

I suggest we work to reinstate personal values rather than curtail personal freedoms.

Shiloh December 11, 2019 - 8:57 AM - 8:57 AM

Cellophane
How do we work to reinstate personal values as a city? Many of us are taking the time to teach our children to be mindful of others and mindful of their health etc. But enough people are NOT doing that, that the city has to take this step. Obviously they are getting an overwhelming amount of complaints regarding smoking in public places and smoke from neighbors infringing on the ability to enjoy ones own home. I had the same problem when I lived in an apartment. I could never use my balcony because my neighbors smoked on theirs nonstop. I couldn’t open the windows either.

You’re right that we will be moving away from many of the “normal” things you listed above. But the truth is, that move is already happening organically. Most people don’t bbq with charcoal, because propane is easier. Most don’t drive classic cars and that number will continue to go way down until there aren’t any left. It will just happen

Joatmeal December 11, 2019 - 12:11 PM - 12:11 PM

Cellophane – I wrongly assumed you smoke, but I stand by my comments about selfish people being against anything that restricts personal freedoms. I have a friend that lives in the country and has no neighbors within a mile. He can do whatever he wants and he won’t bother anyone. But the closer one lives to other people, the more likely it will take an ordinance or law to establish acceptable behavior because selfish people refuse to consider or acknowledge the impact they are having on the personal freedoms of others.

Cellophane December 11, 2019 - 3:17 PM - 3:17 PM

Shiloh and Joatmeal

In the world today, I doubt there is a way to reestablish good character traits in people that are not taught them and from birth.

I believe the vast majority of people have good character values and instill those values in their children.

The minority of the people who chose not to be people of good character ruin the quality of life, freedoms, for everyone.

Today the laws protect the people who have chosen the path of poor character values. No number of laws or bans will change them.

Ban smoking all you want, what will be the punishment? A ticket? A small fine? A stern finger wag by a judge? I doubt it will be any more thant that.

I believe it will be decades if not century’s until People of good character will prevail over those who have poor character values.

In the meantime, freedoms for everyone are lost.

Silva December 10, 2019 - 3:55 PM - 3:55 PM

Better late than never. Your personal freedoms shouldn’t be allowed to make your neighbor have to live connected to an oxygen tank.

Bubs the Adoptable Cat December 10, 2019 - 5:19 PM - 5:19 PM

I hope I’m adopted into a smoke-free home soon! How about my new pic in the Claycord sidebar, not bad right?

Meow, y’all

james December 10, 2019 - 6:37 PM - 6:37 PM

Everyday I see you haven’t been adopted yet,and eventually im going to have to come and get you.It’s a big step and I don’t make quick decisions.

Bubs the Adoptable Cat December 11, 2019 - 9:25 AM - 9:25 AM

Hey James, nice to hear you have some interest, thanks! Remember, you can always simply stop by and introduce yourself – we may be a match, maybe not. You don’t have to take me home just because you came over and pet me on my head, so consider making the trip. I’m glad you think it’s a big step, that shows you’ll take me seriously, which is very good.

Meow, y’all

nytemuvr December 11, 2019 - 9:36 PM - 9:36 PM

@james…. I’d check Bubs’ internet history before I’d adopt him, find out where he stands on the political scale. I came in from outside the other day and my 12 year old cat had changed the TV channel to CNN, I never would have believed it!

Rob December 11, 2019 - 9:14 AM - 9:14 AM

Good!

If you want to inhale a poisonous cloud into your lungs – do it where it won’t impact others.

As for smoking itself who still does that? It’s such a 1950’s thing to do.

It’s expensive, repulsive and if you do it as advertised it will most likely be the main contributor to you early death or worse…


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