Publications – Research and Commentary: San Francisco Considering Bill that Would Outlaw Smoking in Most Apartment Buildings – The Heartland Institute

San Franciscos City Board of Supervisors voted to advance a bill that would ban smoking inside private dwellings located in an apartment with three or more units. Thebill, filed on November 12, applies to smoking tobacco, vaping, and cannabis products.

The ultimate motivating factor for this legislation lies in the argument that non-smokers in the building have the right to breathe clean air, which they cannot do if their neighbors smoke in their private premises. This bill applies not only to private dwellings in units, but also to private patios and balconies. San Francisco currently bans smoking in common areas of multi-unit complexes as well as all public spaces.

The boards Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee voted November 12 to progress the legislation to the next phase, which is a full board vote. This vote is expected to take place on December 1.

The ideals behind this smoking ban are inherently anti-liberty. Individuals are more than capable, and better equipped than lawmakers, to determine what is best for them in their own homes. Furthermore, infringing on ones ability to smoke, particularly in regards to using vaping and e-cigarettes in their own home is dangerous for tobacco cessation efforts.

E-cigarettes have emerged as an effective smoking cessation tool, with a recent study in theNew England Journal of Medicinefinding their use to be twice as effective as nicotine replacement therapy (i.e. gums and lozenges), in helping smokers quit. Since their introduction to the U.S. market in 2007, an estimated three million American adults have used these products to quit combustible cigarettes.

Ultimately, this bill would override Bay Area residents rights in another example of government overregulation.

The Obama administration enacted a national ban on smoking in 2018,which prohibited smoking in and near public housing throughout the country, affecting 1.2 million households in units managed by around 3,300 local agencies. This ban disproportionately affected low-income individuals who tend to live in federally subsidized public housing more than other segments of the population.

Generally, lower-income Americans spend a larger share of their disposable income on cigarettes, vaping, and tobacco products, which means that this indoor smoking ban would also excessively impact impoverished and working-class San Francisco residents.

Furthermore, the bills sponsor, Supervisor Norman Yee, stated that a reason for this ban ties into the coronavirus pandemic. Smoke easily moves between units and buildings. Now that more of us work from home, its more important than ever, Yee said. However, if smokers cannot smoke in their homes or on their patios and balconies, that means more residents will congregate in the streets, which would go against the citys COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders.

According to the bill, residents found violating the ban would first be issued written warnings, but then could potentially face a fine of up to $1,000 for subsequent violations. According tocity estimates,about 12 percent of San Francisco adults smoke cigarettes, about 20 percent of adults have used e-cigarettes, and about 60 percent of adults use cannabis. Meanwhile, about half of the citys residents live in multi-unit buildings that would be subject to the ban.

This ban would punish lower-income individuals and renters who cannot afford to live in single-family or completely private residences. The average rent in San Francisco rings in at approximately $3,5000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, according toInvestopedia.

Those who have argued against smoking bans in private homes have often contended that the proposed policy violates the fundamental right to engage in a legal activity in a private home. Many also argue it encroaches upon the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Over the years, San Francisco officials in general, and the Board of Supervisors in particular, have intruded upon the rights of smokers bybanning smoking for people standing in lines at ATMs, movie theatres, takeout lines, bus stops, and transit stations. This was extended in 2014 to include vaping products and e-cigarettes. Furthermore, the sale of menthol cigarettes and all flavored tobacco and vaping products werebanned in 2017.

In short, this bill is an outsized infringement on renters rights and Americans fundamental liberties in a time when people are forced to stay in the confines of their own home, particularly in a state such as California, given Gov. Newsoms overzealous lockdown and shelter-in-place orders. The impending fines that would go into effect if this bill were to pass would be another attempt at unreliable sin tax funding for San Franciscos $1.5 billion deficit. The City Board of Supervisors should look to cutting costly city-run programs instead of looking towards flippant attempts at sin taxes that go hand in hand with egregious overregulation.

The following articles provide more information on e-cigarettes and tobacco harm reduction.

Tobacco Harm Reduction 101: A Guidebook for Policymakers

https://www.heartland.org/publications-resources/publications/latest-heartland-policy-booklet-addresses-vaping-myths

This booklet from The Heartland Institute aims to inform key stakeholders on the much-needed information on the benefits of electronic cigarettes and vaping devices. Tobacco Harm Reduction 101details the history of e-cigarettes, including regulatory actions on these products. The booklet also explains the role of nicotine, addresses tax policy, and debunks many of the myths associated with e-cigarettes, including assertions about popcorn lung, formaldehyde, and the so-called youth vaping epidemic.

Cigarette Taxes and Smuggling: A Statistical Analysis and Historical Review

http://heartland.org/policy-documents/cigarette-taxes-and-smuggling-statistical-analysis-and-historical-review

The authors of this study consider cigarette smuggling from two angles. First, they employ a statistical model to estimate the degree to which cigarette smuggling occurs in 47 of the 48 contiguous U.S. states. Second, they review the historical experiences of three statesMichigan, New Jersey, and Californiaknown to have problems with cigarette smuggling. The authors findings suggest state policymakers should reassess the value of cigarette taxes as revenue and public health tool.

10 Principles of State Fiscal Policy

http://heartland.org/policy-documents/ten-principles-state-fiscal-policy

This Heartland Institute booklet provides policymakers and civic and business leaders with a highly condensed yet easy-to-read guide to state fiscal policy matters. It presents the 10 most important principles of sound fiscal policy, from Above all else: Keep taxes low to Protect state employees from politics.

The Case Against Smoking Bans

http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/regv29n4/v29n4-4.pdf

Thomas A. Lambert, an associate professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law, argues the market is the best place to make decisions on smoking. He writes, a laissez-faire approach better accommodates heterogeneous preferences regarding public smoking.

Smoking Bans Cloud Free Markets Ability to Thrive

http://www.bipps.org/pubs/SmokingBan.pdf

The Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions takes a comprehensive look at smoking bans and concludes the best way to promote a win-win smoking policy is to inform and educate rather than legislate and regulate.

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Nothing in this Research & Commentary is intended to influence the passage of legislation, and it does not necessarily represent the views of The Heartland Institute. For further information on this and other topics, visit theBudget & Tax Newswebsite,The Heartland Institutes website, ourConsumer Freedom Lounge,andPolicyBot, Heartlands free online research database.

The Heartland Institute can send an expert to your state to testify or brief your caucus; host an event in your state, or send you further information on a topic. Please dont hesitate to contact us if we can be of assistance! If you have any questions or comments, contact Heartlands government relations department, atgovernmentrelations@heartland.orgor 312/377-4000.

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Publications - Research and Commentary: San Francisco Considering Bill that Would Outlaw Smoking in Most Apartment Buildings - The Heartland Institute