Santa Cruz has like many cities always had a healthy ideal, but getting everyone on the same page is difficult. Many know they should quit or not do things, but do so anyway.

So in SANTA CRUZ, Calif., starting Monday, a new smoking ban goes into effect that is fairly tough.

Smokers won't be allowed to light up within 25 feet of doors and windows of public buildings. - No smoking on the following streets: Pacific ( this is the Pacific Garden Mall), Beach street( by the boardwalk), and West Cliff as well as the wharf, parks, and outside dining. This will mean the Santa Cruz wharf will be free of butts which can, and do end up in the water, will be no more. Kids who loiter and smoke down by the boardwalk will have to go elsewhere or change their behavior.Yeah, I know good luck! Frankly I think the high taxes are the best disincentive and should be applied to alcohol too.

The law increases the required percentage of non-smoking hotel rooms in Santa Cruz from 75 percent to 90 percent, which is probably a good thing for hotel owners. If you're caught breaking the law, you'll face fines, which are pretty petty in cost. There will be a brief warning period, then it will cost you $25 if you're caught lighting up.

I think it is a good thing.There is clear evidence to second hand smoke leading to increased heart attacks. In the Santa Cruz Ca homes that  I sell, the ones that had a smoker in them, sell for less and take longer to sell. So the cost is not only to the health of the occupant of the home, but to their financial health as well.

Smoking should be banned ourtright or have harsher penalties, but then there are plenty of other things that should be done differently from alcohol and marijuana in this country to medical drugs. That is enough to leave for another day.

So if you are thinking of buying a Santa Cruz condominium, downtown, you won't likely be put off from the purchase by the smell of smoke wafting up from the streets.