Montebello coalition urges comprehensive smoke-free outdoor ordinance after survey finds strong resident support

Community Alliance for Healthy Outdoor Spaces (CAHOS) told the Montebello City Council on Feb. 19 that residents overwhelmingly view secondhand smoke in outdoor public areas as a health problem and urged the city to adopt a comprehensive smoke-free outdoor ordinance. Carol, a CAHOS co-presenter, said the coalition collected surveys, business interviews and direct observations to back its request and asked the council to work with the group on education and an ordinance draft.

CAHOS said the American Lung Association’s municipal grading placed Montebello at an “F” for smoke-free outdoor air, and the presenters contrasted that grade with 24 jurisdictions in Los Angeles County that have comprehensive outdoor smoke-free laws. "We are part of a coalition called Community Alliance for Healthy Outdoor Spaces, CAHOS for short," Carol said as she introduced the group’s work in Montebello.

The coalition described multiple research activities: 475 household opinion surveys, 25 interviews with restaurant managers about outdoor dining, and 50 observation surveys focused on tobacco-related litter and smoking behavior. CAHOS reported especially high levels of tobacco litter at bus stops and strong business support for smoke-free outdoor dining. The presentation packet, the coalition said, includes a public-opinion report and the restaurant survey results.

Council members thanked the presenters and signaled willingness to collaborate. Council member Alonso highlighted the survey results and the level of community support: “93% believe that secondhand smoke exposure outdoors is harmful for their health,” she said, praising CAHOS and partner research groups for their outreach. Council members discussed next steps including education and enforcement; city staff noted existing work the city is doing and funding that could be applied to outreach.

CAHOS noted prior city action it considered aligned with the coalition’s goals: Montebello’s amended ordinance 2471 (Jan. 2024), which added smoking regulations for public recreational areas. The presenters said that an expanded, comprehensive ordinance would add outdoor dining, bus stops, sidewalks, outdoor events and worksites and that implementation typically relies on signage and voluntary business participation.

Council members asked CAHOS to work with staff and offered to collaborate on next steps including drafting ordinance language, identifying signage and messaging, and coordinating community education events. The presenters said they already hold monthly coalition meetings and public outreach events including a family cleanup where volunteers collected tobacco litter.

CAHOS representatives said their next steps include continuing public outreach and partnering with the city on ordinance development and enforcement education. The group asked the council to consider a comprehensive outdoor smoke-free ordinance and to use the coalition’s data in future regulation and outreach planning.

Ending: The council did not take formal legislative action on Feb. 19; members instead encouraged staff and CAHOS to continue conversations about an ordinance, to route potential drafts through appropriate city processes, and to include outreach and education steps as part of any future regulatory proposal.