{"id":309437,"date":"2026-05-10T21:35:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T21:35:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/309437\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T21:35:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T21:35:09","slug":"liberal-haven-plots-draconian-outdoor-smoking-ban-as-locals-erupt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/309437\/","title":{"rendered":"Liberal haven plots draconian outdoor smoking ban as locals erupt"},"content":{"rendered":"

San Francisco is rolling out a sweeping outdoor smoking ban<\/a> that would snuff out cigarettes on bar patios and parklets across the city.<\/p>\n

The move has ignited outrage among local business owners, who argue the draconian measure is just the latest example of government overreach putting neighborhood bars at risk.<\/p>\n

San Francisco is rolling out a sweeping outdoor smoking ban that would snuff out cigarettes on bar patios and parklets. KTVU<\/p>\n

The ordinance was co-crafted by Dr. John Maa of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society. KTVU<\/p>\n

The controversial ordinance, being crafted by Supervisor Myrna Melgar and Dr. John Maa of the San Francisco Marin Medical Society, would require bars and taverns to follow the same smoke-free outdoor regulations already imposed on restaurants under state and local law, KTVU<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n

If passed, customers would no longer be allowed to smoke while enjoying drinks at outdoor bar spaces across the notoriously left-leaning city<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If passed, customers would no longer be allowed to smoke while enjoying drinks at outdoor bar spaces across the city. KTVU<\/p>\n

Maa, a surgeon backing the proposal, insisted the crackdown is necessary to protect patrons, workers and pedestrians from secondhand smoke.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is to protect the patrons of these establishments and also importantly, the employees and anyone who might be exposed to secondhand smoke,\u201d Maa told the outlet.<\/p>\n

He argued San Francisco should put public health ahead of business profits.<\/p>\n

But furious bar owners have slammed the proposal as an example of heavy-handed government meddling.<\/p>\n

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Neil Holbrook, co-owner of O\u2019Reilly\u2019s Pub in Haight-Ashbury, said his parklet was created so customers could smoke. KTVU<\/p>\n

Neil Holbrook, co-owner of O\u2019Reilly\u2019s Pub in Haight-Ashbury, said his parklet was intentionally created so customers could smoke while having a beer.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the reasons we have a parklet is so people can come out and have a cigarette with their beer,\u201d Holbrook said.<\/p>\n

Other critics have rallied around an online petition that lists dozens of bars<\/a>, worried that the ordinance could deal a blow to already struggling businesses and gut their revenue.<\/p>\n

An online petition lists dozens of bars, worried that the ordinance could deal a blow to already struggling businesses. change.org<\/p>\n

Skeptics also questioned how the law would even be enforced, noting smokers may simply move a few feet down the sidewalk \u2014 potentially leaving bar owners stuck policing public spaces beyond their doors.<\/p>\n

For many, the proposal feels like an aggressive nanny-state crackdown in a city infamous for its maze of regulations. KTVU<\/p>\n

Melgar\u2019s office has tried to ease concerns by claiming the ordinance is not meant to be punitive, and that officials plan outreach efforts and will offer free signage to encourage compliance.<\/p>\n

Yet for many locals, the proposal feels like just another aggressive nanny-state crackdown in a city already infamous for its maze of regulations.<\/p>\n

San Francisco\u2019s Board of Supervisors will vote next month. If approved, the smoking ban would take effect early next year.<\/p>\n

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