Lompoc council asks staff to return smoking ordinance that targets bus stops, senior center grounds and shared-air multiunit housing

The City Attorney presented options to amend Lompoc's smoking rules: a local tobacco retail (resale) license to recover inspection/enforcement costs, expanded outdoor smoking prohibitions (bus stops, sidewalks, public plazas and transit stops), and a regulation to restrict smoking in multiunit residential complexes — potentially including units with shared forced-air or shared-duct systems.

Public health presenters and residents urged stronger measures to protect children and reduce litter. "We collected 1,550 pieces of tobacco waste product," said Maribel from the county tobacco-prevention program, citing recent cleanups that found cigarette butts concentrated at parks and school-adjacent areas. Several parents and community organizers asked the council to include restrictions in multiunit housing because smoke can travel between units.

Councilmembers debated scope and enforceability. Councilmember Jeremy Ball said he favored a comprehensive package including licensing and multiunit protections: "I'd prefer to have a comprehensive ordinance that comes back," he said. Councilmember Victor Vega emphasized limiting the policy to city-owned public spaces like bus stops and senior center grounds and expressed caution about overreach into private apartments. After discussion, the council voted on direction to staff to draft an ordinance that covers bus stops and transit facilities, public areas around senior centers and schools, and to include, separately, a proposal for multiunit housing shared forced-air systems; the motion passed on a 4–1 vote.

Next steps: staff will draft the ordinance package and return it to council for consideration, including options for a local tobacco retail license structured as a cost-recovery annual fee and language to address shared-air multiunit buildings.