BELMONT, Calif. -- In a state known for laws outlawing smoking at beaches, parks, bars and restaurants, a new ordinance went into effect Friday in Belmont that is among the toughest.

The new law forces apartment and condo dwellers to extinguish their cigarette butts or face a fine.

But since its passage, city officials have been quick to point out they are not going to form squads of "smoking cops" to enforce the measure.

"We are not going to become the smoking cops, we are going to take an educational approach to this," said City Manager Jack Crist of the new law.

Although many California cities already restrict smoking in multi-unit common areas, Belmont may be the first city in the country to extend second-hand smoke regulation to the inside of individual apartment units.

Officials said smoking would still be allowed in single-family homes and their yards, and units and yards in apartment buildings, condominiums and townhouses that do not share any common floors or ceilings with other units.

City officials have said that enforcement of the smoking ban would be complaint-driven.