The city doesn't want public opinion to get snuffed out as its staff prepares a draft for a new ordinance that regulates outdoor tobacco use.
An online survey will be available for all residents to provide their input and preferences for the "secondhand smoke ordinance."
Plus, two more public meetings to gather input on the different options proposed for a new policy are coming up. The meetings will take place this Thursday and Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Community and Cultural Center's El Toro meeting room.
"We need to get feedback from people who have some stock in this, including businesses and residents," said parks and recreation committee member Marty Cheek.
In August, the city council approved expenses up to $41,000 for the public outreach process to weigh the pros and cons of a comprehensive outdoor secondhand smoke ordinance that could prohibit tobacco smoke use in the city's parks, on the sidewalks, dining areas, recreation areas and other outdoor public places.
Numerous studies have concluded not only that smoking, but even secondhand smoke is unhealthy, and the city's parks and recreation commission has been on a mission to snuff out tobacco where it might affect others outdoors, according to city staff.
The outreach is funded by a grant from Santa Clara County.
The ordinance would be mostly self-enforced, and is unlikely to require police enforcement, according to Dennis Acha, director of programs for Breathe California, a nonprofit that focuses on education and prevention efforts to reduce the impact of lung disease.
Signs would be posted in restricted outdoor areas, and Acha said passersby generally respond positively to such signage.
Citing examples of other area cities that prohibit outdoor smoking, such as Campbell, Los Gatos, Sunnyvale and Palo Alto, Acha noted that business improves when smoking is outlawed.
But more importantly, it's healthier for kids and others who don't smoke, but are present in areas where smoking is now allowed.
"Numerous studies have shown that exposure to secondhand smoke is just as deadly as firsthand smoke," Acha said at a meeting earlier this month. Secondhand smoke exposure, he continued, is a "suspected contributing factor" in many children's ailments such as ear infections, lower respiratory infections and asthma.
Some areas where smoking could be banned under such an ordinance would be the Community and Cultural Center amphitheater, public sidewalks in downtown and other shopping or dining areas, outdoor patios, service areas such as ATM lines, public events such as farmer's markets and concerts, and all recreation areas such as parks, sports fields and trails.
Morgan Hill Cigar Co. board member Mike Davenport said some downtown business owners he has spoken to are concerned about the possible government interference that could result from a secondhand smoke ordinance. Specifically, restaurants with outdoor patios might already prohibit smoking in those outdoor areas, but would like to have the option of allowing smoking when they conduct private parties.
And the cigar store, which serves as a smoking lounge and serves beer and wine, has some outdoor property in the back of the business that is not currently developed, but could be expanded for use as a patio for customers.
"(The ordinance) could prevent us from expanding our business," Davenport said.
City staff and proponents of an outdoor smoking policy will distribute e-mails containing the link to an online survey the city is conducting as part of the research process.
The 10-question survey asks respondents how they feel about outdoor smoking in each of the following areas: outdoor dining areas, entryways to public buildings, public events and festivals, city-owned parks and recreation centers, service areas such as bus stops, public sidewalks, and public work sites.
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