Secondhand smoke sparks ban for California public housing

Public assistance apartments help people afford a place to live while getting back on their feet. But the American Lung Association said the close proximity makes secondhand smoke an unwelcome problem for public housing neighbors throughout California. “We do find that in affordable housing that there are higher levels of smokers,” said vice president of public policy and advocacy for the American Lung Association, Vanessa Marvin. While some affordable housing complexes are smoke free, many in California are not; which is why the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development placed a federal rule to make units and common areas 100 percent smoke free in 18 months. “This is a very good step to help the health of all residents in multi-family apartment buildings because people who are exposed to smoke can get increased rates of asthma more hospitalization and can lead to cancer and premature death,” said deputy director for Riverside County Department of Public Health Michael Osur. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, there is no safe level of secondhand smoke especially for those who are vulnerable and at risk like children, the elderly and those with illnesses. Some taxpayers in Palm Desert, agree. “I think there’s health reasons for the individuals that are living there. Plus, the smoke gets into the walls and is an environmental hazard,” Dave Roper said. “If this is something that has to be done because people are complaining and it’s actually for the good, which I doubt, then that’s great,” Maja Janice said. Both health organizations said this is only the first step to protect the public from secondhand smoke. As far as enforcement, that is still left to be worked out. The American Lung Association said it might be left to building management to enforce the rule.