Editor,
On Jan.1, a new California law went into effect clarifying the legal authority of property owners to adopt and implement smoke-free policies at apartment complexes. Senate Bill 332 was supported by the entire San Mateo County Assembly and Senate delegation and was signed by the governor.
The San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition strongly supports a smoke-free community by offering assistance to property owners interested in creating safer and healthier homes for their residents. Secondhand smoke is dangerous. Over 49,000 deaths are caused by secondhand smoke in our country each year, in addition to long-term harmful effects to exposed children. Adopting smoke-free policies protects tenants from the harmful toxins in their neighbor’s smoke. Owners benefit from implementing a smoke-free housing policy at their properties by reducing the cost of turning over a unit after a smoker vacates and by reducing fire risk. Owners may receive a discount from their property insurance provider after adopting a smoke-free policy.
Remember that non-smoking policies don’t preclude smokers from living in apartments, just smoking inside of them. Designated smoking areas outdoors can ensure that smoke stays away from the non-smoking children, elderly and other adults who long to breathe safe and healthy air inside their homes. Now armed with legal protections to adopt smoke-free policies, we encourage property owners throughout San Mateo County to adopt smoke-free policies for the financial benefits and for the health of their tenants. For additional information regarding smoke-free policies, or for information about smoking cessation classes, call Breathe California at 994-5868.
Karen Licavoli-Farnkopf,
MPH, Breathe California
Emily Lehr-Anning,
Youth Leadership Institute
Co-chairs, San Mateo County Tobacco Education Coalition
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