Ban smoking at public housing?

[emge]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

"Tobacco smoke can seep from various openings in a multi-unit dwelling, including electrical outlets, plumbing, ductwork, ceiling light fixtures, cracks in wall, floors or doors and through common areas, such as hallways," wrote Smith and Mowat in the report. "Some units may share ventilation or heating systems, which can further spread the smoke throughout a building."

....

In July 2006, a smoke-free 53-unit housing complex opened on Cummer Ave. in North York. In 2008, the owner said one tenant had left because of the policy.

The first quote is the big problem. If you want the privilege (not right) of smoking in your home, then pay for somewhere you can - if you can't, go outside. Do you know how many families I know across the province that smoke in their apartment with their kids, and then secondhand smoke gets in the next door apartment with the neighbour's kids? It's pathetic.

I'm pretty sure that smoke-free building is where some friends of mine lived a while back - I know it was a new-build on that street and affordable, because the rest of it is mostly big homes and such. They found it a great space when they were there.

[SteelTown]

Rules for lighting up outside?

May 25, 2010
Barbara Brown and Jenni Dunning
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/775031

A public health officer says the "vast majority" of Hamilton residents surveyed -- smokers and non-smokers alike -- favour banning or regulating tobacco use at municipal parks, playgrounds, outdoor pools and beaches.

But a possible ban could further alienate smokers who are already restricted from smoking in restaurants and bars, said two city councillors.

Dr. Chris Mackie, one of Hamilton's associate medical officers of health, said 508 interviews were conducted in July last year at 18 municipal recreational areas to gauge public opinion about restricting second-hand smoke where children go to play or take part in outdoor sporting events.

All sport associations using these recreational areas were also sent a survey.

A report going to the public health board today highlights information that will be used to draft an amendment to the city's smoking bylaw, expected in early 2011.

The report says 23 per cent of those surveyed were smokers and 77 per cent were not, which mirrors smoking rates in the city. People who opposed restricting smoking in outdoor recreation areas were outnumbered four to one by those who favoured some type of regulation.

Non-smokers were more apt to be in favour of making recreational areas 100 per cent smoke-free, having designated areas for smoking, or restricting smoking within a certain distance of people or equipment.

Smokers were more inclined to support smoking in designated areas, permit smoking at some distance from people and equipment or to allow it throughout outdoor areas. But not all are supportive of any ban or regulation.

"If they do that, that would really suck," said lifelong Hamilton resident Ken Antoniadis, while he smoked a cigarette at Bayfront Park.

Among sport organizations surveyed, nearly 89 per cent supported the banning of smoking in city parks, outdoor pools, playgrounds, public beaches, skateboard parks, recreational trails and at parades. They were 83 per cent in favour of regulating smoking on recreation centre and arena properties and sporting fields.

Smokers in favour of restricting their own right to light up in public parks might seem surprising at first blush, said Mackie, but he believes "people who smoke are reasonable people too."

"When you start to talk to them about influences on children and youths and setting an example and families needing to have clean air when they take their children to the park, they understand that issue. And, in fact, the vast majority of smokers would not go to a park and blow smoke in a family's face."

City councillor Sam Merulla, who smokes, said he supports a pilot project for new rules, but smokers may end up feeling alienated. The real question, he said, is whether governments should keep tobacco legal.

"They're cheering revenue they get from taxes, (but) limit use within the community. It's the mother of all hypocrisy," he said. "They can't continue targeting it as if it's a pariah."

Councillor and smoker Scott Duvall said he supports a smoking ban in children's areas only.

"Playground areas I agree with, but other than that I think we're stepping on someone's toes."

Hamilton has close to 486 hectares of parkland at 407 locations and more than 647 hectares of open space spread over 200 locations. Most parklands have playgrounds, spray pads, wading pools or sports fields. There are 49 recreation centres, pools, arenas and 49 kilometres of trails.

Mackie said more than 50 municipalities in Ontario, including Collingwood, Barrie, Belleville, Cornwall, Orillia, Peterborough, Toronto, Wasaga Beach and Woodstock, have already passed bylaws regulating smoking in outdoor areas. The smoke-free outdoors trend is gaining momentum both nationally and internationally, he said.

The medical literature describes 4,000 chemicals found in second-hand smoke, about 50 of which are known to cause cancer. The report states, "Under certain conditions, second-hand smoke levels can be as high outdoors as indoors."

"Although it is difficult to measure exactly," said Mackie, "smoking is one of the top two causes of death and disease in Hamilton, along with poverty."

[emge]

This makes a lot of sense.

The other day, I had a migraine. I had to be at work that night, and I walked through downtown - like normal.

Normally, smoke gives me a headache, or makes an existing one a lot worse - but because there were a lot of cops around the core that day (and they were enforcing the 9-metre rule), there was next to no smoke near the fronts of any of the buildings.

And my headache was a lot better. My night at work was a lot better. My walk was a lot better.

Often I'll get a headache just because I'm not a jerk who will walk away from a conversation with an acquaintance or friend just because they're smoking. I understand many of them use smoking as a less destructive habit compared to former addictions.

But it's nice not getting headaches. And it's really nice knowing that I can bring kids somewhere without exposing them to second hand smoke.

Imagine Gore Park without people smoking around toddlers in strollers, or being able to walk down King with kids in tow and not have them exposed to cigarette smoke... the political correctness of not wanting to "alienate" smokers is a drop in the bucket compared to the people public smoking already alienates.

*edit* and now, half an hour later, my neighbour is smoking again, which is drifting over into my house from several windows. And I have a headache. Lovely.

[SteelTown]

The worst is walking on a sandy beach and there's a cigarette butt on your toe. ECK!