No-Smoking Policy: The City of Milpitas received a grant from Santa Clara County to develop and implement a comprehensive no-smoking policy. Milpitas already prohibits smoking and vaping in parks, trails, and outdoor dining areas, but policies are needed to prohibit smoking in multi-unit housing and limit exposure to secondhand smoke and vaping in individual units, common areas, entryways and service areas in nonresidential developments, and at public events. Milpitas is considering policies to address the increased demand for smoke-free housing to protect current and future residents from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke from both tobacco and cannabis products. More information regarding this project can be found on the City’s webpage.

Background: Frequent and recurring exposure to secondhand smoke can cause health problems such as asthma, heart disease, cancer and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, as well as worsen a chronic illness. Children, the elderly, and the disabled are especially vulnerable to exposure to secondhand smoke, yet they are the least able to avoid it. There are now over 50 jurisdictions in California that have adopted smoke-free housing policies, including unincorporated Santa Clara County, and the cities of Sunnyvale, Saratoga, Palo Alto and Los Gatos. For more information regarding the harmful effects of secondhand smoke and benefits of smoke-free policies, refer to this informational handout .

In March 2020, the Milpitas City Council authorized City staff to conduct public outreach, develop policy options to prohibit smoking in multi-unit housing, and prepare an implementation plan for future consideration and adoption. The City Council agenda report and attachments, which provide additional background and information regarding the project, can be accessed here.

Project Timeline: The City of Milpitas is currently receiving public input and will soon start developing the policy options with the goal of adopting and implementing a policy in Spring 2021.

Comments & Questions: In lieu of attending an in-person meeting to receive information and provide input on the No-Smoking Policy, Milpitas residents may submit preliminary comments or questions about this project via the Online Public Forum. You may submit comments or questions at the e-mail address below. Please write “Comment for No-Smoking Policy” in the subject line. The deadline to submit preliminary comments is October 31^st. As the project continues, there will be more opportunities in the future to provide comments or questions.

Staff Contact: Jay Lee, Principal Planner, planningdepartment@milpitas.gov