Davis Signs Bill Banning Smoking on Playgrounds

To reduce children's exposure to second-hand smoke, Gov. Gray Davis (D) yesterday signed a measure that will ban the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes or other tobacco products on "playgrounds or tot lots," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Sponsored by Assembly member Juan Vargas (D-San Diego), the law will impose a $100 fine for smoking within the "boundaries of a playground or a sandbox" or for tossing a cigarette or cigar butt in a playground. Smoking is already banned in restaurants, bars and the public areas of hotels statewide. The new playground smoking ban will take effect Jan. 1 (San Francisco Chronicle, 8/9). Davis said he would favor even greater restrictions, such as a ban on smoking within 15 to 25 feet of playgrounds (Los Angeles Times, 8/9). "Such smoke-free barriers will create a reasonable distance to protect our children while allowing parents who smoke to remain close enough to monitor them while they play," Davis said (San Francisco Chronicle, 8/9).