SB 977: Tobacco: youth sports events.

Existing law prohibits the smoking of a cigarette, cigar, or other tobacco product, and the disposal of tobacco-related waste, within 25 feet of any playground or tot lot sandbox area, as defined. Existing law prohibits a person from intimidating or retaliating against another person seeking compliance with these prohibitions. These prohibitions do not apply to the use of tobacco on private property. A violation of these prohibitions is an infraction, punishable by a fine of $250 for each violation. Existing law expressly does not preempt the authority of any county, city, or city and county to regulate smoking around playgrounds or tot lot sandbox areas.

This bill would prohibit a person located in the same park or facility where a youth sports event is taking place from using a tobacco product, as defined, within 250 feet of the youth sports event, as defined, and make a violation an infraction punishable by a fine of $250 for each violation. The bill would make the use of tobacco on private property subject to those prohibitions. The bill would state that its provisions do not preempt the authority of any county, city, or city and county to regulate the use of tobacco products around a youth sports event. By establishing a new crime, this bill would create a state-mandated local program.

The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.