News: Smoking

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The California Apartment Association’s work with San Mateo County has helped shape an ordinance that protects residents from smoking while limiting the liability of rental property owners. The county, including the Board of Supervisors and county counsel, partnered with CAA Tri-County since May 2013 to protect property owners’ and managers’ interests in the regulations. This resulted in wording amenable to the industry because it provides: Liability protection. The ability to designate a smoking area. A 14-month phase-in period. No requirements to post “No Smoking” signage in each unit. The ordinance, approved by supervisors on a 4-1 vote Tuesday, Oct. 21,… Read More

Tagged: Tri-County

Thanks to the California Apartment Association, a new ban on smoking in Foster City apartment communities will have little impact on landlords. On a 3-2 vote, the City Council passed an anti-smoking ordinance June 2 that will prohibit the activity inside apartments and common areas. The ban includes e-cigarettes. The city had originally decided to exclude apartments from its smoking prohibitions, but faced with mounting pressure from public health advocates and tenants, the council reconsidered its position. CAA Tri-County immediately began months of negotiations with the city to minimize effects and eliminate liability for rental property owners. Thanks to these… Read More

Tagged: Tri-County

Foster City will likely ban smoking in most public places, but the city won’t regulate the habit on private property, including apartments. During a study session Monday, the City Council told staff to proceed with an anti-smoking ordinance but to leave out multi-family and single-family homes. The vote was 4-1. The California Apartment Association has been working with the city on the smoking ordinance since the idea came up in September. At Monday’s session, CAA pointed out that renters increasingly demand smoke-free housing, and property owners are listening. “Due to the fact that most multifamily building communities are voluntarily smoke-free,… Read More

Tagged: Tri-County

The city of Lafayette on Monday banned smoking in multifamily housing but grandfathered in current residents who light up, Patch.com reported. Applying the regulations only to new tenants distinguishes Lafayette’s law from many other smoking bans in California. One councilman said it strikes a balance between individual rights and public health.  Monday’s 5-0 vote also broadens Lafayette’s current anti-smoking law by prohibiting the activity in most public places. Read the Patch story for more details. Related article: Lafayette considers smoking ban in apartments, public places outdoors (Contra Costa Times)  Past articles: UPDATE: Walnut Creek adds webpage to comply with smoking… Read More

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Walnut Creek has added resources to its website to help landlords and others comply with an ordinance that bans smoking through much of the community, the city manager’s office told CAA on Friday, Oct. 18.  A new webpage includes sign templates, the California Apartment Association’s lease addendum information, a compliance fact sheet and ordinance summary. Moreover, the materials include contact information for the city’s No Smoking Hotline and e-mail address. *** Original story*** Walnut Creek has banned smoking in much of the city, from inside apartments to downtown. City Councilman Justin Wedel cast the lone dissenting vote on Tuesday, Sept.… Read More

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Researchers from the University of Southern California are seeking information from Los Angeles-area landlords on the effects of thirdhand cigarette smoke — including smell, residue and related management issues. While secondhand smoke has been researched extensively, scientists are still studying the effects of residual cigarette smoke particles and chemicals found in air, dust and surfaces — also known as thirdhand smoke. To fill this research gap, the state of California is funding a study led by Dr. Jonathan Samet and Dr. Heather Wipfli at USC. The team is focusing on indoor areas and enclosed spaces, including rental properties, in the… Read More

Tagged: Los Angeles

The Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee today stubbed out a bill by Assemblyman Marc Levine that would have banned smoking in apartments, condos and townhomes. “Assembly Bill 746 would have created an enforcement nightmare for property managers while infringing on the privacy rights of law-abiding tenants,” said Debra Carlton, senior vice president of public affairs for the California Apartment Association. “We also want to remind Californians that property owners already have the right, thanks to legislation we sponsored, to ban smoking at individual properties.”

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California could become the first state in the nation to ban tobacco smoking in apartments, regardless of what tenants, landlords and local government have to say about it. In addition to forbidding smoking inside all multifamily dwellings, Assembly Bill 746 would prohibit the practice outside rental units — except in conspicuously marked, designated areas that meet several criteria. Violating AB 746, an infraction, would bring a fine of up to $100. Assemblyman Marc Levine, D-San Rafael, introduced the bill Feb. 21. It’s sponsored by the American Lung Association. The California Apartment Association has not taken a position on the bill,… Read More

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