| The Palo Alto History Project |
| Starbucks Tries to Restrict Outdoor Smoking 276 University Avenue |
| The Outdoor Smoking Ban In 1995 Roxy Rapp was one of many downtown business owners who pushed for and eventaully won a 20 feet smoking ban outside his Palo Alto's Starbucks at 276 University Avenue. As in many cities which have attempted outdoor smoking bans, the issue was divisive. In this case, not only were smokers and non-smokers on opposite sides of the issue, but for many Palo Altans, homelessness was also at the heart of the matter. Mark Badger expressed a point of view in the Palo Weekly in 1995 that "Implementing the ban is clearly a move against the homeless people. There are only a few places in Palo Alto where people smoke while stationary. Outside Starbucks and Noah's, Rodger's and Il Fornaio. Where do the disadvantaged hang out? Outside Starbucks and Noah's, Rodger's and Il Fornaio, of course! It's a ruse. A pejorative effort to fashion Palo Alto into a model divorced from reality." Smoking has become increasingly outlawed in Palo Alto, as in most places in the United States. Palo Alto passed some of the state's first smoking restrictions when it banned smoking in theaters in 1974. In 1977, the regulations were expanded to require 25 percent of a restaurant's space be non-smoking, and then in 1981, 50 percent. In 1982, the city established an ordinance allowing the creation of non-smoking areas in the workplace, which was strengthened the next year. In 1991, the city banned smoking in restaurants completely. In 1993 the Council extended smoking restrictions to indoor and outdoor "service locations," which include bus and train shelters, ticket or service lines, and public telephones. Whoa, to the chain smoker who spends a great deal of time working or living in Palo Alto. -Matt Bowling |
| Roxy Rapp |
| A popular homeless area in the mid 90's |
| The map below shows the University Avenue West area |
| Il Fornaio at its former location |
| Sources: Palo Alto Weekly, Palo Alto Historical Association |