Smoking and Tobacco Ordinances

In 1989 and 1991, the Albuquerque City Council adopted two tobacco-related ordinances: the Albuquerque Clean Indoor Ordinance and the Smoking Tobacco Products Ordinance.

The purpose of these ordinances is to protect the public health and safety by regulating the burning of tobacco in City-operated buildings, public places, and places of employment. Although the responsibility of enforcement by citation has been given to both the Police and Fire Departments, the primary enforcement of these two ordinances has been conducted by the Albuquerque Fire Department. Since violation of either of these two ordinances is a petty misdemeanor, such offenses must be witnessed. This makes direct enforcement extremely labor-intensive; the primary focus by the department is on public education and awareness.