No more smoking on the balcony in Santa Monica; personally, I hate cigarettes...my Mom died of cancer, probably from her smoking. Fires and health issues are good reasons to ban smoking on multi-family properties. I don't want to smell or be exposed to your toxic waste wafting into my unit. Readers, what do you think?
Friday, July 30, 2010, by Neal Broverman
After pushing to
end smoking on the Santa Monica pier, the City Council on Tuesday banned "people from lighting up within 25-feet of a door or window in any multi-unit residential building,"
reports the Santa Monica Daily Press. The action was aimed specifically at those who light up on balconies and patios. The 4-1 move was dissented by Councilman Bobby Shriver, who would have preferred other methods of cessation, including having apartment owners
designate certain units as non-smoking. That idea was tabled until November--there's concern that method could scapegoat low-income smokers and encourage landowners to evict them. In November, voters will decide on a renter protection measure which would alleviate eviction concerns. The funny thing about these smoking bans--lighting up is a no-go on the Promenade and at outdoor restaurants--is that for some of them violators can only be punished by being hauled into small-claims court. Fines won't be incurred with this new law, nor are there fees for the ban on smoking in apartment and condo common areas--people have to be sued, and penalties start at $100.
