San Francisco leaders shelve proposed patio smoking ban

San Francisco lawmakers are suspending the effort to ban smoking on bar and restaurant patios, reports Sydney Johnson for KQED.

As Johnson explains, "The anti-smoking legislation was scheduled to come up during the June 8 land use and transportation committee meeting. It is now continued to the call of the committee chair, a technical term that essentially means it’s paused indefinitely, as supervisors — many of whom have not weighed in publicly — and Mayor Daniel Lurie meet with bar owners to continue conversations about the idea."

Opponents of the ban say it would deter customers, force smoking customers onto sidewalks which could disrupt traffic and disturb neighbors and harm local businesses. Supporters of the ban say it would close a loophole in the current smoking ban and provide a healthier experience for diners and employees. Supervisors have not set a date for taking up the issue again, signaling that outdoor smoking will remain legal at least through the summer.