Current Smoking and Tobacco Retailer Regulations

The Los Angeles County Tobacco Control and Prevention Program reports tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of disease and disability in the United States, resulting in over 440,000 deaths each year. It is a risk factor for four of the five leading causes of death: cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer, and emphysema/COPD. West Hollywood considers these impacts of tobacco and smoking tobacco on the community-at-large and therefore continues to adopt policies to protect the health and wellbeing of the public accordingly. 

In 2011, the City of West Hollywood adopted an ordinance prohibiting the smoking of tobacco in outdoor dining and public service areas. Five years later in 2016, the City adopted a Tobacco Retailer Ordinance to ensure that retailers comply with tobacco control laws and the City’s business standards, and to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to minors. In 2020, the City adopted an ordinance prohibiting smoking in public parks and parklets. The following year, 2021, the City prohibited the sale of flavored tobacco and use of coupons or discounts for tobacco products. The City also prohibited smoking tobacco in common areas and inside new units of multi-family dwellings.

For questions, comments, or to report a possible violation regarding the information or regulations below, please contact the Neighborhood and Business Safety Division (Code Enforcement) at (323) 848-6516 or by email code@weho.org.

Outdoor Dining and Other Public Areas (2011)
Tobacco Retailer Ordinance (2016)
Public Parks and Parklets (2020)
Flavored Tobacco Ban (2021)
Smoke-Free Housing Ordinance (2021)