San Diego, CA — July 2025 — The Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment, a partnership between SAY San Diego and San Diego State University, has released a new report, Support for Smokefree Outdoor Dining in the City of San Diego. The findings highlight both the health risks of tobacco smoke residue in outdoor dining settings and the community and industry support for a comprehensive smokefree outdoor dining policy.
Researchers found that tobacco smoke residue, also called thirdhand smoke, remains on outdoor dining surfaces long after smoking occurs, exposing patrons and workers to toxic chemicals. Testing showed nicotine levels were on average 14 times higher on tables where smoking was observed, and volunteers eating in those areas had 13 times higher nicotine levels on their hands afterward.
Despite these risks, San Diego remains the largest city in the county without a comprehensive smokefree outdoor dining policy, with only restaurants participating in the Spaces as Places program being required to prohibit smoking. Fifteen of 19 jurisdictions in San Diego County already protect residents with a comprehensive policy.
Community opinion is clear: 78% of San Diegans support banning smoking in all outdoor dining areas, including a majority of current tobacco users. A majority of restaurant professionals interviewed supported banning smoking in restaurant patios and described various barriers to implementing smokefree policies on their own.
The report urges policymakers to address this gap in protection from second- and thirdhand smoke in outdoor dining to protect all San Diegans.
Contact:
Policy Research Center for Tobacco and the Environment
Dr. Georg Matt