Smoke Free Apartments in Southern California
The town of Oxnard, California has voted to prohibit smoking in senior public housing complexes in the downtown area. The measure passed unanimously at a city council meeting on March 25th. Oxnard's new legislation makes it the third town in California to restrict smoking in multifamily apartment rentals.
Calabasas and Belmont had both previously passed local ordinances in response to a growing numbers of complaints from renters who were affected by secondhand smoke.
These towns have taken bold stands on the issue of smoking in apartments. As we related in an earlier post on smoke free apartments, the issue can be quite contentious. Local ordinances generally draw the ire of civil liberty groups over the protection of an individual's right to privacy.
The matter has been quite difficult to resolve in the multifamily industry; unless the apartment is delegated by its owners as smoke free, the issue often is left to be hashed out between neighbors.
At least in once instance, a neighborly dispute about smoking has led to a negligence lawsuit. Galila Huff, of New York City was sued for endangering the health of her neighbors and their 4 year old son.
The lawsuit was settled out of court after Aerus, a manufacturer of home cleaning products, offered to install air filters and purifiers in both apartments.
If not for the intervention of the company, however, it is difficult to predict how this matter would have played out in court. How can a balance be struck between the right to privacy, especially in one's home and his or her effect on their community?
Is this issue best left to be settled amongst neighbors or should local municipalities start getting involved?
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April 15th, 2008 at 8:30 am
oddly enough this issue recently came up in my building. we all own. one of the neighbors proposed making the building, common areas and private dwellings smoke free. she also proposed we limit smoking to within 20 ft of the building. as a non smoker, my first reaction was that was a great idea. however, on second thought i realized i don't want anyone telling me what to do in my own house. no neighbor and no government. it's my house, my private place to do what i want when i want. i think smokers deserve the same right.
July 1st, 2008 at 5:31 am
Prohibition of smoking can enhance in the process recovery to the addicted persons. It does not only affects the individual smoking but also those around him or her.
……………………………
Carol Smith
http://www.addictionrecovery.net/california
Addiction Recovery California
July 1st, 2008 at 5:34 am
wow!that was a good idea in the first place,it helps to reduce the number of smokers.i was once one of them now i am at a recovery center.
carol smith
Addiction Recovery California