Laguna Beach’s expanded smoking rules help it upgrade to a ‘C’ in new ratings

Laguna Beach’s expanded regulations on smoking helped it receive a “C” grade Wednesday from the American Lung Assn. in its latest ratings of states, cities and counties on tobacco policies.

The group, which works to promote lung health and prevent lung disease, evaluated 482 cities and 58 counties in California and listed their grades in its annual report called the State of Tobacco Control.

Cities and counties are graded on their policies for smoke-free outdoor air, smoke-free housing and reducing sales of tobacco products.

Of Orange County’s 34 cities Laguna Beach is one of four to receive a “C.”

Laguna improved its grade from an “F” within a year largely because it amended its municipal code last year to expand the number of public areas where smoking is off limits.

In June, smoking became illegal on sidewalks and in alleys and multi-unit residential common areas such as laundry rooms. The City Council had cited complaints from residents about secondhand smoke on sidewalks and in parking lots.

Owners of hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast establishments can decide whether to allow smoking in areas such as guest rooms and pools.

Laguna Beach officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

According to an American Lung Assn. news release, a record 10 California cities improved their overall grade to an “A,” and 17 fewer communities received an overall “F,” compared with last year.

But half of California’s population still lives in areas receiving a “D” or “F,” the report states.

Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach have received “F’s” the past three years.

Costa Mesa passed an ordinance in 2011 prohibiting smoking in all public parks and public buildings. It was extended in 2015 to include vaping, or use of electronic cigarettes, said city spokesman Tony Dodero.

Regulations in Newport Beach prohibit smoking at parks and beaches, on beach walkways and in and around city buildings.

Newport is not planning to consider new smoking regulations this year, said City Manager Dave Kiff.

“The grades that are important to us are those that our own residents, business owners and visitors give us,” he said. “And I think we remain a great place to live, work, play and visit.”

Priscella.Vega@latimes.com

Twitter: @vegapriscella