California City Bans Smoking in Apartments, Condos

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on October 12, 2007

The City Council approved a measure Tuesday that will make it illegal to smoke in multi-unit buildings such as apartments and condos starting in 2009. The legislation also includes banning smoking in parks, outdoor restaurants, workplaces, stadiums, shopping centers, and other public places starting next month.

The measure, which imposes fines of up to $1,000 on violators, is among the first and toughest in the nation. It was created in a way so that violators will face enforcement only when neighbors complain about the secondhand smoke.

Mayor Coralin Feierbach, whose father died of lung cancer, voted for the ban, saying nonsmokers have the right to enjoy clean air and not inhale secondhand smoke.

Others, like Councilman Bill Dickenson, are up in smoke over the issue, saying legislation that tries to tell people what they can and cannot do in the privacy of their own homes goes well beyond the boundaries.

Still, Serena Chen from the American Lung Association in California, said the opposition to the ban is nothing new. Conflict arose when legislation passed to ban smoking on airplanes and in offices.

People are still flying, and people are still working, she said.

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