San Francisco’s Outdoor Smoking Ban Sparks Backlash from Bars and Breweries

Proposed Ban Targets Outdoor Smoking at San Francisco Bars

San Francisco is considering a new ordinance that would ban outdoor smoking at bars and taverns, eliminating longstanding exceptions for these establishments. While indoor and outdoor smoking at restaurants has been prohibited for years, certain bars and taverns have been permitted to allow smoking outdoors.

The proposed law, which will go before a city committee on May 18, 2025, seeks to "eliminate exceptions" and "prohibit smoking in outdoor patios of bars and taverns." If approved by the Board of Supervisors in June 2025, the ban would take effect in early 2027.

Public Health vs. Business Concerns

John Maa, a general surgeon who contributed to the proposal, told KTVU that the ban aims to "protect the patrons of these establishments and also importantly, the employees and anyone who might be exposed to secondhand smoke." He emphasized that the city’s laws should prioritize public health over profits.

However, the measure has faced strong opposition from local business owners. Over a dozen bars have launched a petition arguing that the legislation is "misguided in its scope, timing, and priorities" and urging the Board to reject it. The petition states:

"San Francisco's bars, restaurants, and small businesses are not obstacles to a better city — we are the fabric of it. We are the neighborhood anchors, the employers, the tax base, and the culture that make this city worth living in. We ask only that the Board govern accordingly."

Impact on Local Businesses and Jobs

Lara Burmeister, owner of Zeitgeist, a bar and beer garden founded in 1977 and designated as a Legacy Business by the city, expressed concerns about the ban’s impact on her establishment. She told SFGATE:

"The impact on my business would be direct and immediate. My staff would be required to enforce this change rather than focus on the work that actually serves our customers and drives revenue — creating friction that affects both the employee experience and the customer relationship."

The hospitality sector is a major driver of San Francisco’s economy. Between February 2025 and February 2026, leisure and hospitality companies added 5,600 jobs to the region—the highest increase of any major sector, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. For comparison, private education and health services added only 4,000 jobs during the same period.

Potential Consequences for Hookah Lounges

The proposed ban could also have unintended consequences for shisha and hookah lounges, which rely on outdoor patios or semi-enclosed smoking areas to operate legally. While the ordinance does not explicitly target these businesses, eliminating longstanding smoking exemptions could render many hookah lounges illegal.

With an estimated 250,000 Arabs residing in the San Francisco area, the ban could disproportionately affect a key part of the city’s Middle Eastern community and its cultural establishments.

Next Steps and Opposition

The proposed outdoor smoking ban will first be reviewed by a city committee on May 18, 2025. If it passes, the Board of Supervisors will vote on the measure in June 2025. Business owners and advocacy groups continue to lobby against the proposal, arguing that it will harm local businesses already struggling to recover from the pandemic.