Front Page  »  

Assembly bill would ban smoking in many California homes

March 13, 2013

cigsA California Democratic assemblyman introduced a bill last month that would ban tobacco smoking in all multi-unit residences in the sate. [Huffington Post]

Assembly Bill 746, authored by Marc Levine of San Rafael, would prohibit smoking in all condominiums and apartments, as well as other types of residence where units share walls, floors, ceilings or ventilation systems. The proposed ban does not include free-standing homes, which make up about two-thirds of the residences in the state.

“Californians should be able to breathe clean air in their own homes,” Levine said. “In apartment or condominiums, whenever a neighbor lights up, everyone in the building smokes with them.”

Levine added that secondhand smoke “is especially troublesome for children who have no choice but to breathe” it.

On January 1, the San Luis Obispo Housing Authority banned tobacco inside all of its residences. Both the city and county of San Luis Obispo have passed outdoor smoking bans in the past three years.

In the past three decades, Californians’ smoking habits have decreased sharply. More than 25 percent of Californians smoked cigarettes in 1984, but only 11.9 percent smoked in 2010. California now has the second lowest smoking rate in the country behind Utah.

Several academic studies conducted by the Center for Disease Control suggest that increasing the restrictions on smoking laws leads to far fewer smokers “by challenging the perception of smoking as a normal adult behavior.”

 


Loading...
Subjects:                 
Related:


33 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

The goberment is here to help us, good Lord I wish they would stop.


0

Even more true today! If we only had listened…


0

This sounds like discrimination against smokers who can’t afford to purchase their own homes. Cigarette smoke doesn’t go through walls. Someone warming their car up under your window is 20 times more harmful. It seems to me that requiring hepa filters in apartments and condos of people who smoke is what would be reasonable. I have a hepa filter that I run during allergy season, it cleans all the air in my bedroom and I have one that I run during the day in my family room.


0

Cindy,


You’re right, cigarette smoke doesn’t go through walls, but it can go through the shared venting and ducting of apartments and townhouses. It even travels from the outside and through the windows of adjoining non smoker dwellings! Who should logically trump the other? The person that wants to kill themselves at the expense of others by smoking, or the babies and children that don’t have a say in this act? WWJD?


Sorry, but a car outside of your window that is warming up their engine is 18.57 times more harmful than cigarette smoke, not the 20 times that you proposed.


Within the same vein as you proposed of discrimination against smokers, wouldn’t it be discriminating against individuals that couldn’t afford hepa filters, along with their costly upkeep, inside their apartments to remedy your situation?


We must both pray to the Hebrew-Christian God to change the law of physics in that cigarette smoke doesn’t pass proposed imaginary lines, therefore, keeping it within the boundaries of the smoker, and hence, not harming their neighbors. You pray first.


0

This won’t affect the homeless population, they can still spend their money of smokes and feeding their dog.


0

I can understand not wanting cigarette smoke waifing into your apartment from your neighbors apartment but Condos and apartment buildings are close living and one knows this going in. I once lived in an apartment next to a family from India. Dinner time was hell; but back then we seemed to tolerate each other a bit more and no one complained. These days however with an ever growing government big enough to push us around there is always some intolerant person with his local congress person’s number on his refrigerator. These progressive big government loving people are everywhere these days and they won’t hesitate putting on that brown shirt and running to the nearest government office to complain.


0

Rambunctious,


Uh, cigerette smoke and the fumes from an Indian dinner are mutually exclusive concepts. One can be against your overall health, and the other one just stinks. Duh.


Don’t you hate that big government concept, in part, where someday you may be able to collect Social Security? Because of your stance, and for you not to become a hypocrite, we’re sure that you’ll turn down that big government concept of Social Security, won’t you?


0

Ted…I recognized Social Security as a ponzi scheme at a very young age so I made moves in my life to ensure I would never need it; and I already have plans for donating any SSI benefits I receive. I also recognize that many people need their SSI payments and I have no problem with that. The benefit is entrenched and It is what it is. You’re right about one thing; cigarette smoke is unhealthy and so is car exhaust from the street outside your home. So is the gas off of fumes in your home from construction materials and furnishings. If I lived in an apartment next to a smoker I would work with my smoking neighbor to reconcile the issue. I don’t need a politician to help me with something like that. It’s not what they are there for.


0

Rambunctious,


Hypothetical; You try to reconcile with your neighbor about their second-hand smoke entering your apartment, and they say that they’re going to continue smoking in the same vein as your comment of not wanting government to push you around. The smoking continues. You go to managment, and they too give you a deaf ear.


What is your next move to eliminate the unhealthy second-hand smoke entering into your apartment? If there is no city ordinance or politician to help you, then what do you do to protect your famiy, the least of which, a baby or child?


0

I don’t know Ted…. maybe close the window.


0

Rambunctious,


That won’t completely work when unhealthy second-hand cigarette smoke in apartments and townhouses flows from one unit to another through vents and air ducts. Children living in multiunit housing are exposed to smoke involuntarily, on a regular basis, even when their parents are trying to protect them.


Your proposition fails without legislation that you’re against.


0

Ted, I have no choice but to pay into Social Security. Having done so for over 36 years now, I absolutely expect my pittance of retirement someday. If I had not been forced to pay into SS, I certainly would have no reason to the program.


0

While I certainly agree with your expectations and view on SS, it really bugs me when people refer to Social Security as “paying in to it” – it is not an account like a retirement or savings. Social Security is a tax. Period. We pay this tax our entire working lives, and then maybe they send us something at 65 or later… but those SSI disbursements come from the current SS tax payers.


This is why it is a ponzi scheme destined to fail (it already has, actually, we’re just propping it up as it limps along to it’s final destination)


0

Thomas Paine once said, “Government, even in its best state, is but a necessary evil; in its worst state, an intolerable one.”

Continued government creep, as troubling as it is, is often the result of our failure to recognize the risks often associated with our pursuit of freedom.


0

I prefer George Washington’s “Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.”

My loose translation: When government is small enough and you can control it, it can be helpful, but if it gets too big, it will consume you (and everything around you).


0

Now if we could just get the federal government to stop subsidizing tobacco farmers with our tax dollars


0

Progressives ply their evil trade in baby steps… the various smoking bans (or “anything” ban) is a good example. Next step: banning it somewhere else, then another place, then all places.


This “mentality” is why people are so up in arms to protect their second amendment rights – if you give these leeches an inch, they will take your arm. Please read up on the history of progressives and see what “joys” they have wrought on the world.


0

How is that different from conservatives banning things like teaching evolution, smoking pot or having abortions?


0

unlisted,


Lest we forget about the Republican war upon women. You know, where a bunch of old white men sit around and tell women what they can or can’t do with their bodies.


This last election was an embarrassment when certain Republicans came forth with their comical and faulty science! The most astonishing fact was that they didn’t know any better in what they spoke!


0

Really? It is illegal to get an abortion? They do NOT teach evolution? We are not smoking pot? What world do you live in where these have been banned by conservatives (or anyone)?


0

Roy,


I took your advice and read up on what the progressives have done thus far with just the Obama administration. Damn those DEMONcrats! I am sure that you’re not benefitting in any way with what they’ve done as listed below. If you are, then by all means, bypass these accomplishments or you’ll become a hypocrite. Okay? Thanks.


Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Rescuing the American Auto Industry

Closing the Medicare Doughnut Hole

The Successful 2009 Stimulus

Credit Card Industry Reform

Fighting For Small Businesses

Ending Combat Operations in Iraq

Ending Abusive Health Insurance Industry Practices

Expanding Health Insurance Coverage to 32 Million More Americans

Making College More Affordable

Reforming Wall Street

2011 Health Care Reform Benefits

Eliminating Co-Pays on Contraceptive Services as Preventive Care

Challenging the Defense of Marriage Act in Federal Court

Rejecting the Keystone XL Pipeline ( this oil sand goes upon the world market and does not help us in any way accecpt to maybe reduce gas by 2 cents per gallon)

Finalizing Air Pollution Rules That Will Save 13,000 Lives Per Year

Increasing Vehicle Fuel Efficiency to 35.5mpg By 2016 and 54.5 by 2025

Implementing a Sensible New Immigration Policy for “DREAMers”

Obama DOJ Wins Significant, Though Not Complete, Victory Over Arizona’s Anti-Immigrant Law

American High-Speed Rail Moving Forward

A Good Friend of Labor

Obama’s Record of Support for Israel


Of course we have to admit that what Obama TRIED to accomplish, but was filibustered by the Republicans, there would have been more accomplishments. Praise the blockage of the following House of Representative’s bills! Who cares about helping our returning troops after they put their lives on the line with two fraudulent wars by Bush? It’s more important for the wealthy to continue their tax loop holes around the world, praise!


H.R. 12 – Paycheck Fairness Act

H.R. 448 — Elder Abuse Victims Act

H.R. 466 – Wounded Veteran Job Security Act

H.R. 515 – Radioactive Import Deterrence Act

H.R. 549 — National Bombing Prevention Act

H.R. 577 – Vision Care for Kids Act

H.R. 626 – Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act

H.R. 847 – The James Zadroga 9/11 Health Bill

H.R. 1029 – Alien Smuggling and Terrorism Prevention Act

H.R. 1168 — Veterans Retraining Act

H.R. 1171 – Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program Reauthorization

H.R. 1293 — Disabled Veterans Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant Increase Act

H.R. 1429 — Stop AIDS in Prison Act

H.R. 5281 — DREAM Act

S.3985 — Emergency Senior Citizens Relief Act

S.3816 — Creating American Jobs and Ending Offshoring Act

S.3369 — A bill to provide for additional disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, Super PACs and other entities

S.2237 — Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act

S.2343 — Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act

S.1660 — American Jobs Act of 2011

S.3457 — Veterans Jobs Corps Act


0

You do understand that one of the FIRST things progressives do is name things that have nothing to do with what they actually are, just to fool the really low-information folks like yourself.


For instance, one of the first, most well-known ironically-named things is: the Federal Reserve. It is neither Federal, nor a reserve. Huh, go figure… sure sounds nice, like all those nifty bills you gathered. I mean, who would vote against “Stop the Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act” – I mean, it can’t be bad, it has a nice name!


0

r0y,


The fact remains, the bills were passed, and that I am sure you are personally taking advantage of, and bills weren’t passed because of Republican obstructionism, period.


Sorry, but you’re Kabookie Dance referring to the naming of bills doesn’t hold water. It’s nothing but a red herring for you to “try” and hide behind because the actual facts are getting in your way of what you want to believe. Shame on you!


0

No, the “fact remains” that, as usual, you completely bypassed the whole point and declared your own premise with which to argue with. I do not accept it.


0

Ted, you are smarter than this propaganda!


That “successful 2009 Stimulus” made me choke on my mornng coffee. I notice you didn’t mention that NO ONE who passed the Stimulus actually bothered to read the bill before doing so.


You also forgot Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize award, Cash for Clunkers, and TARP. You also didn’t mention the Defense Act. Was Fast and Furious on your list? Solyndra?


0

danika,


I am just following the MO of Faux News by not stating everything! Republicans are use to this practice, so why call me on it?


In any event, are you enjoying the credit card industry reform, the ending of abusive health care industry practices, and if you have older friends, are they pleased in the closing of the Medicare Doughnut Hole, just to name a few?


Obama didn’t think the Nobel Peace Prize was appropriate, if you remember. The other items mentioned could be debated ad infinitum, but this is not the place to do so.


0

I don’t recall voting on this as a measure. What ever happened to” we the people” and our pursuit of happiness?


Better to make smoking illegal than this.


0

It only bans tobacco smoking; you can smoke as much medicinal marijuana inside apartments and condominiums as you want.


0

lol… So far…just give em time.


0

not according to “unlisted” above – pot smoking has been banned by conservatives….


0
1 2