Tobacco Fight Failed in All Solano County

Solano County and all its cities earned grades of F in cigarette smoking rates and efforts to prevent exposure to secondhand smoke, according to an American Lung Association annual report. The failing grades for smoking rates and restrictions on smoking in public spots and housing areas are contained in the "State of Tobacco Control 2012" report. In particular, the report looks at local policies that aim to reduce smoking cheap Camel cigarettes in outdoor areas, housing, and the sale of tobacco products. State law prevents indoor smoking in businesses, restaurants, schools and other facilities in Solano County. However, the lung association's regional director of advocacy Serena Chen said Solano cities and the county have not followed through on tobacco control laws and regulations. Neither Vallejo nor Benicia have any ordinances to control smoking in business entryways, public parks, sidewalks, work sites, service areas, public events, outdoor dining spots or multi-family housing units. Further, neither city has mechanisms to reduce tobacco retail licensing, the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies or tobacco sampling. "It's a disappointment for the city and the county, but doesn't speak to what's currently being worked on," Fighting Back Partnership Project Manager Mark Mora said. Vallejo limits the sale of tobacco products near schools and parks but Chen said this is not enough to raise the city's grade. Further, Fighting Back is working on a program to reduce smoking in housing units, but this is only a voluntary measure, Chen said. Mora added that efforts are being made to get an ordinance introduced to ban smoking in public parks. Fairfield earned points for banning smoking in outdoor dining and public recreation areas, but they were not enough to elevate its overall grade of F. Similarly, Vacaville and the unincorporated areas of Solano County earned a few points for its ban on smoking in public parks. Neither Dixon, Rio Vista or Suisun have any ordinances or bans which would have earned points. Smoking rates in both Napa and Solano counties are considered high -- nearly 15 percent for Solano County and 19 percent for Napa County. While many medical facilities, restaurants and other businesses and facilities have posted signs restricting smoking near entrance ways, Chen said these lack enforcement teeth. For example, if someone lights a cigarette near the entrance to a medical facility, a security guard may ask that the smoker move or put out the cigarette, she said. However, compliance to those wishes would be voluntary. Some parts of the Bay Area are making big strides, however. Albany, Richmond and Union City earned overall grades of A for strong controls on outdoor smoking and use of tobacco products in housing units and other public places. Those cities seem to the exception with nearly two-thirds of all cities receiving F grades.