The War on Smoking Continues....... Ban on Smoking In Apartments Recommended..

[Obama 2012 1,714]

This is going beyond stupid and into completely ridiculous territory.

The funny part is, is that they are directly attacking "minority" groups with ideas like this.

I mean after all, they alredy bowed down to them by not considering "menthol" a flavor, why the sudden change of heart here????

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http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20025483-10391704.html

(CBS) Smokers who have been forced out of bars and restaurants may soon be crowded into little groups outside one more place: their homes.

A new study finds that even when kids live with non-smoking parents, if they live in apartment buildings they are exposed to tobacco smoke from their neighbors. Now, researchers are recommending that owners and landlords make their buildings smoke-free zones.

The deadly smoke seeps through walls or common air ducts from smokers' apartments, according to the study published today in Pediatrics.

"Parents try so hard to protect their children from dangers, such as tobacco smoke." said Dr. Karen Wilson, an author of the study and assistant professor of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester Medical Center's Golisano Children's Hospital, said in a written statement.

"It's surprising to see these results and realize that too many parents have no control over whether their children are exposed to secondhand smoke in their own homes," she said.

Children are in danger of a number of health problems if they are exposed to cigarette smoke. The U.S. Surgeon General says there is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. In children, tobacco smoke causes and increases the severity of asthma, influenza and bronchiolitis, a lung infection primarily found in kids.

It can also cause sudden death syndrome and cognitive deficits in infants. And even unborn children are at risk: if pregnant women inhale tobacco smoke, their child may be born with low birth weight or prematurely.

The solution? The true fix to protect residents is to make apartment housing smoke-free, says Dr. Jonathan Winickoff, senior study author who practices at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children.

"A child with asthma has no choice, people who smoke can go outside," he said. "I think that landlords and building owners will now be deciding how soon to go smoke free and not whether to go smoke free. I don't think anyone wants to be the slumlord of the last building to allow smoking inside."

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Is there an attack on the right to smoke in the works? What's that? Oh, yes, there is no such right.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Is there an attack on the right to smoke in the works? What's that? Oh, yes, there is no such right.

and you have no right to sit there and breathe. Remember that.

[Ban Hammer 13,343]

Is there an attack on the right to smoke in the works? What's that? Oh, yes, there is no such right.

i wonder if this attack on cigarettes will take some of the wind out of the legalize pot movement...

[Amby 490]

I lived in a non-smoking building in Indianapolis about 5yrs ago.

eta: there were offices on the lower floors and the guys who worked in the offices were always outside smoking

Edited December 13, 2010 by Amby

[mawilson 2,133]

Is there an attack on the right to smoke in the works? What's that? Oh, yes, there is no such right.

Sure there is. I can do whatever I want in my own apartment, as long as it's legal - and last I checked, smoking is still legal.

[lostinblue 1,989]

We have rental property that is smoke free. It is in the contract. So far their has been no problem finding renters. There is a lot more work getting an apartment ready after a smoker has been living there. If you don't own it many people are careless. We used to find burn marks all over the place. Counter tops,kitchen floors,rugs. You name it. It happens. You never really get the smell out either. The walls have a film on them also. Security deposit hardly will cover a tenth of the damage. Most people say to you the security deposit is the last months rent. You are always behind dollar wise. We have had people ask if a smoker has lived there in the past. I guess it comes down to if you own your apartment you can do as you want. A landlord has the right to refuse a smoker for the same reason as having pets.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

We have rental property that is smoke free. It is in the contract. So far their has been no problem finding renters. There is a lot more work getting an apartment ready after a smoker has been living there. If you don't own it many people are careless. We used to find burn marks all over the place. Counter tops,kitchen floors,rugs. You name it. It happens. You never really get the smell out either. The walls have a film on them also. Security deposit hardly will cover a tenth of the damage. Most people say to you the security deposit is the last months rent. You are always behind dollar wise. We have had people ask if a smoker has lived there in the past. I guess it comes down to if you own your apartment you can do as you want. A landlord has the right to refuse a smoker for the same reason as having pets.

Same here. I do not allow smoking in my rentals either. Too much of a pain in the a$$ cleaning them up between tenants. I've been in units with nicotine stains on the walls and ceilings and a cruddy film on the windows. The smell impregnates everything.

[lostinblue 1,989]

http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/ContentDisplay.aspx?id=10436

Q: Can I refuse to rent to smokers?

Yes. The fair housing laws do not specifically protect smokers, and addiction to nicotine does not qualify as a handicap for purposes of the laws protecting the rights of the disabled. Although the California Supreme Court has ruled that the Unruh Civil Rights Act bars arbitrary discrimination on the basis of a person’s “personal characteristics” (e.g., hair style) or “personal traits,” and it might be argued that refusal to rent to smokers is this type of discrimination, it is unlikely that such an argument would be successful in court because there are valid business reasons for refusing to rent to smokers, e.g., concern for the health of other tenants, fire safety, lower insurance costs, reduced cleaning and maintenance expenses. The federal Fair Housing Act, in fact, provides that a landlord is not required to rent to anyone whose tenancy would constitute a direct threat to the health and safety of others or pose a risk of damage to property. As long as a no-smoker policy is applied uniformly, it is likely to be legal.

[mawilson 2,133]

Same here. I do not allow smoking in my rentals either. Too much of a pain in the a$$ cleaning them up between tenants.

If you rent to smokers only, you don't have to clean it up

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Sure there is. I can do whatever I want in my own apartment, as long as it's legal - and last I checked, smoking is still legal.

Only as long as your landlord permits it. It's legal to have a pet and yet there are apartments where you can do no such thing.

and you have no right to sit there and breathe. Remember that.

Of course I have a right to breathe unless you want to question my right to live.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

If you rent to smokers only, you don't have to clean it up

I think it is easier to find non smokers today. Years ago it may have been the opposite.

[scandal 951]

I think it is easier to find non smokers today. Years ago it may have been the opposite.

I call discrimination.

I know your type.

I bet you also refuse to rent to Australians.

And I'm sure you'd never agree to lease to Peyton Manning.

What about me? Do you have an anti-Chicago-Bears-fans-symphony-audiophiles too? Hmmm?

What do you have to say for yourself?

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Of course I have a right to breathe unless you want to question my right to live.

Plain and simple. You don't.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I call discrimination.

I know your type.

I bet you also refuse to rent to Australians.

And I'm sure you'd never agree to lease to Peyton Manning.

What about me? Do you have an anti-Chicago-Bears-fans-symphony-audiophiles too? Hmmm?

What do you have to say for yourself?

I hope Peyton Manning starts smoking. Just because I won't rent to smokers, Australians, any of the Mannings, even the brother that doesn't play football and no one has ever heard of doesn't mean I discriminate. Prove me wrong. If I say it is true then it is and the rest of the world is wrong.